Goosen has won three titles in France

The South African carded a first-round 63 to give him a one-shot lead over Sweden's Mikael Lundberg with England's Simon Wakefield one further back in third.

Goosen, who won the trophy three years ago, came within one shot of equalling the St Nom-la-Breteche course record but bogeyed the ninth, his final hole of the day.

"I had no idea about the course record but I wanted to shoot the lowest score I could and it was a shame about the last," said Goosen.

"But overall I am very happy with the round, it's a good start to the week and hopefully I can build on that.

"I've been pretty consistent with a lot of top 10s and played well in America, but Europe has been disappointing, I've not played well enough in the big tournaments."

Goosen took advantage of the soft greens, holing nine birdies before a brilliant eagle at the eighth took him to 10 under.

But Goosen saw his ball spin off the green into the bunker at the ninth and he finished his blistering round with a bogey.

Wakefield led a strong British contingent in Paris and finished the day on six under to stay in contention after carding seven birdies and just one bogey.

LEADERBOARD 8 under: Retief Goosen (Rsa) 7 under: Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 6 under: Simon Wakefield 5 under: Paul McGinley, Terry Price(Aus), Carlos Rodiles (Spa), Nicolas Colsaerts (Bel)

Ireland's Paul McGinley also put in a consistent round of 66 to finish on five under.

It could have been two shots better for the Ryder Cup hero after he had a chance of a 30-ft eagle putt at the eighth but he had to settle for par.

Dubliner Padraig Harrington was also satisfied with his three-under 66 on his return to the circuit after the birth of his son Patrick.

"Overall I'm pleased with my performance," said Harrington who is trying out a new swing.

"I hit a few ropey shots out there but I put that down more to mental errors.

I don't think I've been in the water there in all the years I've been coming here Colin Montgomerie

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie also settled for a round of 66 after he hit his tee-shot at the 18th into the pond right of the green.

"I don't know what happened there," said a bemused Montgomerie.

"I don't think I've been in the water there in all the years I've been coming here, I normally go left and went right.

England's Lee Westwood had to settle for a one under 70 on his return to action since his victory in the BMW International Open.

Ben Curtis, making his first appearance in Europe since his shock win at The Open, got off to a mixed start shooting a round of 69, lying in joint 35th place.

Spain's Carlos Rodiles won a scooter after shooting a hole-in-one at the 148-yard seventh but Australia's Terry Price missed out on the prize after he aced the 12th just 15 minutes later.