| Competition: | Division 1 |
| Dates: | 9 August 1996 – 24 May 1997 |
| Season: | 1996–97 |
| Winners: | Monaco (6th title) |
| Relegated: | Caen Nancy Lille Nice |
| Continentalcup1: | Champions League |
| Continentalcup2: | UEFA Cup |
| Continentalcup3: | Intertoto Cup |
| Best Player: | Sonny Anderson |
| League Topscorer: | Stéphane Guivarc'h (22) |
| Matches: | 380 |
| Total Goals: | 884 |
| Prevseason: | 1995–96 |
| Nextseason: | 1997–98 |
The 1996–97 Division 1 season was the 59th since its establishment. AS Monaco won the French Association Football League with 79 points. Four teams were relegated to Second division and only two were promoted because in 1997–1998, only 18 would participate the championship.
