The article is devoted to the research of the image of Russia in France which was formed during the period of 2000-2012 in bilateral diplomatic, economic relations, and also in cultural contacts between the representatives of two countries. The important factors forming the image of Russia in France during this period were: Russian-French diplomatic contacts, economic relationship, the participation of Russia in war conflicts in Chechnya and Georgia (the coverage of these events in French press is researched in the article). Some acts of Russian politics and social life - such as Mikhail Hodorkovskiy’s trials, problems with freedom of press in the country, some particular reforms - also had great resonance in the French press and imposed strong influence on the perception of Russia. The aim of the article is to determine what kind of the image of Russia in France was formed during the researched period and to evaluate the degree of objectivity of the contemporary French society views of Russia. It was also important to understand, whether the image of contemporary Russia in France is positive or negative, and what kind of role it can have in perspective in bilateral relationship and also in general in Russian relationship with European countries.