Marquez sets pace
The day started sunny before the Le Mans clouds loomed at the start of FP2 to serve as a reminder of the weather warnings for Saturday...not that anyone needed one.
After some drama that saw Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) take a tumble and then Pramac Racing's Jack Miller, it was Honda at the top with Marquez, followed by Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), but the timing screens were about to be painted red.
With just under ten minutes to go to get that fast lap in, Repsol Honda Team's Jorge Lorenzo bolted first and went fastest overall. It was game on.
Dovizioso makes his move
Then Crutchlow crashed, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini's Aleix Espargaro capitalised to push the British rider out the provisional top ten, and Vinales moved the goal posts again to go top.
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) then seemed on to go faster still but lost time near the end of the lap, before there was more drama as Aleix Espargaro crashed, Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) crashed for a second time and then Miller followed his lead.
Rossi struggles
Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) struggled though.
The 'Doctor' is P14 overall heading into FP3 and couldn't crack the top ten, although he was another suffering some drama on Friday as one run in FP1 was interrupted by his chain coming off
Quartararo in the mix
Home hero Quartararo is in the mix as the Frenchman's pace is showing no sign of abating.
If the fight for pole in France sees rain shuffle the pack, who masters the classic venue in the wet will be a topic of interest and suspense.