A Nelson Oliveira double was enough to earn Rennes a 2-1 win at Evian TG on Saturday.
Oliveira notched twice prior to the break before Kevin Berigaud responded with a wonder goal for the home side at the Parc des Sports d'Annecy.
However, it was not enough as Rennes move up to fifth while Evian sit bottom of Ligue 1.
The match did not start well for the home side when Youssouf Sabaly gave away a penalty, which resulted in Oliveira sending Bertrand Laquait the wrong way to put the visitors a goal up.
Rennes doubled their lead in the 35th minute when Evian failed to clear the ball, and Oliveira smashed in a low deflected effort from the edge of the box and into the bottom corner for his and his side's second of the match.
The home team came out the stronger of the two after the break and pulled a goal back in the 50th minute through a stunning half-volley from Berigaud from just outside the box on the right which dipped into the far top corner of the net.
Evian nearly drew level 25 minutes from time when Cedric Barbosa floated in a free kick from the left of the box which found an unmarked Modou Sougou on the penalty spot, who met the cross with a diving header but was denied by a wonderful stop from Benoit Costil.