Rory Best believes Ireland can end the country's long wait for success on French soil.
Ireland have a terrible record against France, only winning once there since 1972 when Brian O'Driscoll emerged as the hat-trick hero in 2000.
History weighs heavily against Ireland ahead of Sunday's rescheduled Six Nations clash.
"It's a massive challenge, but we have an opportunity to write ourselves into the history books,'' said Best.
Ireland's Grand Slam hopes ended with an opening day defeat to Wales in the Aviva Stadium.
Any lingering hopes of clinching the championship trophy will be extinguished if they fail to beat Les Bleus in the Stade de France.
Coach Declan Kidney and Ireland players Stephen Ferris and Andrew Trimble look ahead to Sunday's Six Nations match against France
The odds are stacked against Declan Kidney's men but Best insists that will only serve to make victory more satisfying.
"The record books say that us winning in Paris doesn't happen very often, so from an Irish point of view it would be a massive result for us," he said.
"We go there full of confidence, but we're fully aware of how long it's been since we've beaten them in Paris.
"As competitive players you want to have these big moments in your career. Sunday evening can be one of those for us.''
The game is being staged on the tournament's second break weekend after the original fixture on February 11 was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
The disruption to Ireland's schedule could yet prove beneficial as they now travel to Paris revitalised by their five-try demolition of Italy last weekend.
Best explained: "The last time we went there we had the advantage of trying to settle a score after losing the Wales game the way we did.
"Now we're coming off the back of a good win and have scored five tries against Italy. You don't often see Italy concede 40 points these days.
"It's very encouraging to go to France with that in the bank. We've also had another few weeks together so we're ironing out the wrinkles.
"But any time you to go Paris is an exciting time. We want the win that has been so elusive for Irish rugby for so long.''