Jean-Christophe Thouvenel began his professional football career in Switzerland at Servette Geneva. After winning the Swiss Cup In the 1977/78 season he joined Paris FC and, a year later, Girondins Bordeaux. In 12 years with the Bordeaux club under coach Aimè Jacquet, Thouvenel won three Top Leagues and two French Cups, participated in two UEFA Champions League semi-finals and made eight consecutive European appearances (a record at the time) at a time when he made the right-half position his own. In 1991 Thouvenel moved to Le Havre where he ended his playing career in 1993.
With the senior national team, Thouvenel won four caps between 1983-87, making his début in a 1-1 draw against Belgium at Luxembourg. At the 1984 Olympics he was a starter in all the matches except the final, when France beat Brazil 2-0.
France