Patrick Kelly scored an excellent goal as Michael O’Neill’s youthful side performed superbly at the Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
France are among the favourites to lift the FIFA World Cup trophy in New Jersey next month and they showed glimpses of real quality at times, with Olise the main man.
The international challenge match in Lille was their final preparation game ahead of their first group match at this summer’s global tournament.
Long-standing France head coach Didier Deschamps, who is stepping down after the World Cup, fielded a starting eleven worth an estimated £1.3 billion.
But Northern Ireland were not overawed as they worked tirelessly throughout.
Attacking midfielder Isaac Price almost got a shot off in the opening exchanges after Brodie Spencer had made good ground from deep.
After that France piled forward and the Northern Ireland defenders and midfielders had to put in several blocks and interceptions. They harried and chased.
France captain Kylian Mbappe shot well wide of the target before Pierce Charles comfortably smothered a low shot from Desire Doue.
Mbappe got in behind the Northern Ireland defence and let fly. Charles superbly saved his effort, however the flag was raised because Mbappe had drifted offside.
Price found Kelly with a sweet pass over the top and the midfielder fired a shot inches past the post.
On 18 minutes France midfielder Adrien Rabiot unleashed a shot from distance which flew over the crossbar.
Captain Trai Hume put in a great block as Theo Hernandez threatened down the left flank.
The busy Aurelien Tchouameni smacked a shot against the post. The ball was recycled and Mbappe slotted it into the net, but it was ruled out for offside.
As expected France dominated possession and they constantly pushed Northern Ireland back.
Olise’s low drive was easily collected by Charles, while Theo Hernandez blasted an effort well wide.
Hume tried to play in Justin Devenny with a quick free-kick, however the danger was cleared by the France defence.
Shea Charles played a lovely ball in to Kelly inside the area, but once again the French defence managed to clear the ball away.
France eventually opened the scoring on 41 minutes. An initial shot from Ousmane Dembele hit Ruairi McConville and the ball spun to Olise who applied the finishing touch from six yards. The goal stood despite Mbappe appearing to be in an offside position and standing in front of Pierce Charles just before the ball entered the net.
In added time Price found McConville at the back post and he headed the ball across the face of goal past France keeper Mike Maignan where Jamie Donley tucked it home from close range. However, the ‘goal’ was chalked off as McConville was adjudged to have fouled a French player in the build-up.
On 49 minutes Olise hammered the ball home to make it 2-0 to France. A Theo Hernandez header bounced off Hume’s knee and Olise ran on to the ball before finding the net from 12 yards.
Six minutes later Charles dragged a shot from distance wide of the target before Mbappe and France substitute Maxence Lacroix both scooped efforts over the top.
In the 64th minute Kelly opened his senior international account following a flowing move. Devenny found Charles down the left. He initially managed to muscle his way past Dayot Upamecano. He fell to the ground but managed to pick himself up and played the ball to the advancing Kelly four yards out and he coolly slotted the ball home.
Eight minutes later Olise slipped in Mbappe, however he lofted the ball over the top.
In the 74th minute Olise scored a world class goal to make it 3-1 to the hosts. He cut inside and drifted past a couple of Northern Ireland players before superbly curling the ball into the top corner.
Devenny fired a shot straight at Maignan, while Mbappe put another shot over the bar.
In the closing stages France substitute Bradley Barcola clipped a shot over the top and fellow sub Rayan Cherki’s deflected shot drifted wide before substitute Lucas Digne’s effort flew well wide.
Young Northern Ireland striker Braiden Graham looked set to make his international debut from the bench in added time, however the ball did not go out of play and his debut will have to wait.
Overall it was a great performance from Northern Ireland against France in their send-off game ahead of the global festival of football in Canada, Mexico and USA.
France: Mike Maignan, Jules Kounde, Theo Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Aurelien Tchouameni, Michael Olise, Adrien Rabiot, Kylian Mbappe (captain), Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue.
Substitutes: (used) Malo Gusto, Maxence Lacroix, Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola, Lucas Digne, Manu Kone, Maghnes Akliouche, N’Golo Kante; (unused) Brice Samba (GK), Robin Risser (GK), Marcus Thuram, Ibrahima Konate, Warren Zaire-Emery, Lucas Hernandez, Jean-Phillipe Mateta.
Northern Ireland: Pierce Charles, Brodie Spencer, Justin Devenny, Trai Hume (captain), Ruairi McConville, Ciaron Brown, Alistair McCann, Shea Charles, Jamie Donley, Isaac Price, Paddy Kelly.
Substitutes: (used) Ethan Galbraith, Josh Magennis, Ceadach O’Neill, Jamie McDonnell; (unused) Luke Southwood, Josh Clarke, Callum Marshall, Kieran Morrison, Paul Smyth, Braiden Graham, Jamie Reid.
Action from Lille
