The first was Paris Saint-Germain F.C., who were the trophy holders, and the second was Nîmes Olympique, who had lost the Coupe de France final against AJ Auxerre, who had qualified for the 1996–97 UEFA Champions League.
Paris Saint-Germain F.C. were the champions, whereas Nîmes Olympique had been defeated in the Coupe de France final by AJ Auxerre, who then qualified for the 1996–97 UEFA Champions League.