At the Stade de Lattre-de-Tassigny in Aubagne both sides were indebted to their goalkeepers as the Group B opponents contested an entertaining affair.
Nathan Broadhead, Regan Poole and Jack Evans all had shots saved by France goalkeeper Dimitry Bertaud while Wales were thankful to their own keeper Luke Pilling, who had to pull off three good late saves from Jeremy Livolant.
Chris will be hopeful of more involvement on Friday when Wales face Bahrain before their final group game against the Ivory Coast on Monday 5 June.