Lorient registered a surprise win at Lille on the opening weekend of the Ligue 1 season.
Lille finished fifth last term and qualified for the Europa League play-off round in midweek by completing a 4-0 aggregate win over FK Sevojno.
But they came unstuck on their return to domestic action with goals from Kevin Gameiro and Marama Vahirua proving enough to see off a home side who could only muster an own goal from Olivier Monterrubio in reply.
The home side were dominant in the early stages with Lorient struggling to make any inroads going forward.
Robert Vittek had Lille's first chance after 13 minutes but failed to test Fabien Audard in the Lorient goal.
Les Dogues came again after 18 minutes with Ludovic Obraniak's well-timed run and shot from a Franck Beria cross whizzing inches past the post.
Audard distinguished himself after 22 minutes by denying Emerson with the Brazilian having been put through by Eden Hazard.
After spending the opening half hour on the back foot, Lorient countered and struck with their first chance.
Monterrubio whipped in a free-kick and Gameiro got ahead of his marker to nod home.
The home fans were stunned again seven minutes after the restart when a loose pass from Nicolas Plestan gifted possession to Monterrubio and his pass was converted by Vahirua.
Lille almost hit back immediately with Rio Mavuba's shot hitting the post.
But Lorient remained a threat on the break and only a smart save from Ludovic Butelle prevented Monterrubio from increasing the home side's woes.
Monterrubio's next involvement was to head Florent Balmont's cross into his own net, an error which preceded a late onslaught on the Lorient goal as they sought an equaliser.
Audard preserved his side's lead with 14 minutes to go by blocking bravely when Mavuba tried to fire in at the far post while Lorient had an even bigger scare in injury time.
Obraniak turned and shot with the ball almost finding its way to Pierre Aubameyang but the substitute's outstretched leg just failed to make contact when the merest touch would have been enough.
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