MOROCCO 26 Mar 2015 (AFP) - On only his second European Tour start, Saddier chipped in for an eagle on Golf du Palais Royal's first hole, and then added five birdies in a flawless seven-under-par 65.
It left him one clear of England’s Daniel Gaunt, who had a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th before bogeying the last in a 66.
South African George Coetzee, one of a number of players in the field needing a big week to qualify for next month's Masters Tournament, Scotland's David Drysdale and England’s Chris Wood all lie two off the pace on five-under.
"I’m very happy - I was very grateful to get an invite to play here," said Saddier.
"This place is just unbelievable. I played very solid today - I had a chip in for eagle on the first then another chip in on six, so it was a great start and I kept it going.
"I just have a little category on The European Tour so I will be focused on The Challenge Tour this year.
"I played last week in Madeira and although the tournament was cancelled I was playing well in the strong wind so I'm in good shape for this week.
"It’s almost my best round; I shot 64 in Qatar last year, which was eight under, so this is one of my best rounds.
"If I could get a win it would change my schedule as at the moment I'm playing on the Challenge Tour - I just need to focus on each shot now and see what happens."
Results from Thursday's opening round of the European Tour's Trophee Hassan II (par 72):
65 - Adrien Saddier (FRA)
66 - Daniel Gaunt (AUS)
67 - George Coetzee (RSA), David Drysdale (SCO), Chris Wood (ENG)
68 - Eduardo De La Riva (ESP), Richard Green (AUS), Soren Kjeldsen (DEN), Mikko Korhonen (FIN), Moritz Lampert (GER), Marcel Siem (GER), Anthony Wall (ENG), Romain Wattel (FRA), Oliver Wilson (ENG)
69 - Jose María Olazabal (ESP)