Christophe Dominici was found dead Tuesday in the park of Saint-Cloud, near Paris, we learned from corroborating sources.
The ex-Stade Français player, who was 48, climbed on the roof of an abandoned building in the park in the early afternoon before jumping, said a police source.
According to a judicial source, who confirmed the player's death, a witness saw the former player fall from 10 meters.
Jean-Michel Blanquer, the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, paid tribute to him during a speech at the National Assembly.
An investigation to search for the causes of death was opened by the Nanterre public prosecutor's office (Paris region).
The former winger (67 caps) had won the title of champion of France five times with Stade Français and was a finalist in the World Cup in 1999 with the XV of France, notably taking a leading part in the victory of anthology against New Zealand in the semi-finals.