With Bardet and Barguil, France hoping to end Tour drought.
Hinault’s fifth crown put an end to a glorious era for French cycling, a period (1975-85) during which the home nation won nine Tour titles out of 11.
A year after finishing runner-up to Froome, Bardet was again lauded for his courage and attacks throughout the race.
A strong climber with a natural instinct for racing, Bardet rode more consistently this year but he cracked in the final time trial in Marseille.
Yet he still salvaged his podium finish by one second, holding off Froome’s teammate Mikel Landa.
Bardet was quicker than Froome in mountain stages this year and dropped him in the steep climb to Peyragudes in the Pyrenees.
"I can improve a bit, especially in the time trial," Bardet said in Marseille.
"I made a choice not to focus on the time trial because it’s not the way I like to ride.
Going out to train on my time trial bike is a little bit boring for me.
I want to fight in the next few years for the win."