French forward Karim Benzema (C) vies with Spanish defender Mikel San Jose (R) during the friendly football match France vs Spain, on September 4, 2014 © Getty Images

The clash looked to be heading toward a goalless draw for much of the encounter, but second-half substitute Remy pounced to give Les Bleus the win.

Spain, still reeling from a dismal World Cup campaign which saw them suffer a group-stage exit, faced further questions in Paris tonight as Karim Benzema went close early on.

Spanish forward Diego Costa (L) vies with French midfielder Blaise Matuidi (R) during the friendly football match France vs Spain, on September 4, 2014 © Getty Images

The Real Madrid striker latched on to Mathieu Valbuena's through-ball, but his angled effort was beaten away by David de Gea on nine minutes.

It was De Gea who found himself the busier of the goalkeepers, and the Spaniard was called into action once again six minutes before the break.

Antoine Griezmann's clever knock-down flick fell to Benzema, who struck from outside the area but the Manchester United stopper was equal to it.

Griezmann made way for Remy on the hour mark, and it took some 13 minutes for the new Chelsea striker to make an impact.

Valbuena latched on to Benzema's clever flick, before cutting the ball back for Remy who rifled the ball into the top corner from just inside the area.

Vicente del Bosque's side responded well to falling behind and perhaps should have drawn level through David Silva, who slotted narrowly wide of the post as France hung on.

Consequently, reigning European champions Spain head into Euro 2016 qualifying on the back of a defeat ahead of Monday's clash with Macedonia.

France, meanwhile, qualify automatically as tournament hosts.