The former world and European champions landed in Tunisia looking cheerful and relaxed on Thursday to set up camp at a vacation resort near Sousse.
The players' wives, partners and children were also invited to bask in the sunshine on the hotel's postcard-like sandy beach, surrounded by a handful of mostly German tourists.
"Our partners are here, it's really important for us, but we all realise what we're here for," defender Marc Planus told reporters on Friday. "We're really well looked after, by our wives and by the coach."
Training was also on the agenda with a session on Friday at former African Champions League winners Etoile du Sahel's state-of-the-art facilities.
"The training sessions here will be just as tough," Planus said.
"Tignes was different, it was hard because we focused on individual fitness but it also helped create a real team spirit," Planus said.
"This is pleasant with the beach, a nice restaurant and everything, but we're also here to work."
"There's a really great atmosphere in that group," midfielder Abou Diaby told reporters. "We're all happy to be together. I don't talk much, I'm rather shy, but being with the other guys feels really good."
"We're in Africa, we're looking forward to playing a strong Tunisia team in a great atmosphere," he said. "We can really feel a World Cup flavour now."
