1.e4 e6
In the French Defense, black does not immediately challenge the white center. White should therefore immediately place another pawn there with 2.d4. Black will counter with 2...d5.
The French has the reputation as a very solid defense, but the black pawn structure does create a lasting difficulty for black. If white seals in the center with the move e4-e5 on move three or later, black will usually have trouble finding an effective place to develop the Bc8. In a very real sense, black's early moves lock in this light-squared bishop.
White will usually play e4-e5 in order to confine the black Bc8 and Nb8 to the queen's side of the board. White will seek to trade his relatively bad dark-squared bishop for black's, and then proceed with an attack upon black's kingside. Development often involves moves such as Nf3, Bd3, and h4.
Sources for further reading
S.Taulbut, HOW TO PLAY THE FRENCH DEFENSE, Batsford, 1983
A.Suetin, FRENCH DEFENSE, Batsford, 1982
L.Psakhis, THE COMPLETE FRENCH, Henry Holt, 1993
T.Harding, THE CLASSICAL FRENCH, MacMillan, 1991