1996–97 French Division 2

The 1996–97 Division 2 season, organised by the LNF was won by LB Châteauroux and saw the promotions of LB Châteauroux and Toulouse FC, whereas FC Perpignan, FCO Charleville, SAS Épinal and Stade Briochin were relegated to National.

22 participating teams

 * Amiens
 * Beauvais
 * Charleville
 * Châteauroux
 * Épinal
 * Gueugnon
 * Laval
 * Le Mans
 * Lorient
 * Louhans-Cuiseaux
 * Martigues
 * Mulhouse
 * Niort
 * Perpignan
 * Red Star
 * Saint-Brieuc
 * Saint-Étienne
 * Sochaux
 * Toulon
 * Toulouse
 * Troyes
 * Valence

Recap

 * Promoted to L1 : LB Châteauroux, Toulouse FC
 * Relegated to L2 : SM Caen, AS Nancy, Lille OSC, OGC Nice
 * Promoted to L2 : Nîmes Olympique, ES Wasquehal
 * Relegated to National : FCO Charleville, SAS Épinal
 * Relegated to lower divisions : FC Perpignan, Stade Briochin (Banned during the season)