Paul McGinley put himself into contention for a first European Tour victory since the Volvo Masters in 2005 when a second successive 69 moved him to within one shot of the lead at the French Open yesterday.
England's Simon Kahn put his signature to the day's best score by two strokes and was rewarded with the halfway lead at a cold and breezy Le Golf National on the outskirts of Versailles.
Khan takes a one-shot lead into the weekend on a five-under-par total of 137, with past champion Colin Montgomerie and McGinley snapping at his heels on 138.
Meanwhile, McGinley was perplexed to find that although his stroke average finds him ranked 57th, he is a lowly 120th on The European Tour Order of Merit.
With a tie for 16th as his best finish in 2007, McGinley is clearly looking for bigger and better things this week over a course he rates as one of the most impressive on The European Tour.
He said: "It's kind of weird, to be honest. My stroke average is right up there but I am 120th on the Order of Merit.
"It just goes to show that professional golf is not about making cuts, it's about the big weeks. You've got to have these good, hot weeks.
"The guys who win the Order of Merit and make Ryder Cup Teams always seem to have four or five big weeks.
"Yesterday's six birdies was the most I've made all year. Until then, my best had been four in a round.
"It's really tough and just keeping the ball in play is of paramount importance. I did that today apart from one hole and I've putted well for two days. We'll take it as it comes now.
"I've got myself in a nice position and if I play like I have the last couple of days I will be there or thereabouts."
Zane Scotland, 24, who had to pre-qualify, recorded a 71 to tie for fourth place on three under with fellow Britons Kyron Sullivan and Tom Whitehouse and Dane Thomas Bjorn.
Damien McGrane and Peter Lawrie also made the cut. McGrane added a 72 for 140 while Lawrie is one back after a 72.
Graeme McDowell and Gary Murphy missed out after rounds of 77 and 80 respectively.
