The 21-year-old Benzema was courted by several top clubs including Manchester United but Gignac attracted only Lyon. Their lucrative offer was turned down by Toulouse, who appreciate what a good thing they have in him.
The 23-year-old first played for France in a World Cup qualifier against Lithuania in April, setting up Franck Ribery for the winner after coming on as a late substitute.
After two more convincing appearances as a substitute, he started an international for the first time in another qualifier, against the Faroe Islands last month, and scored the game's only goal.
Benzema has said his ambition is to become the world's best player, a goal he might still achieve.
"It's my job to be decisive," Gignac told Reuters when asked for his secrets. "I always enter the pitch with a lot of determination and motivation but once the game starts I don't make any calculations; I just play."
"Before last season, the coach (Alain Casanova) told me that if I really went for it, I could score 25 goals," Gignac said. "I thought he was making fun of me."
"Since last season I have a lot more confidence," he said. "Technically, I'm a lot better. That comes from working on small details in training."
Gignac, who has been compared to England's Wayne Rooney for his pugnacious approach to the game, has become known for his thumb-sucking gesture after scoring goals, a reference to his young son, Andre-Pierre Junior.
