Clubs in France's top two divisions made combined losses of 200 million euros last season, according to L'Equipe.
The French sports newspaper says the news was revealed to league authorities in recent days by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG), the body which oversees football finances in France.
L'Equipe suggests that the final total could be reduced slightly in coming weeks -- but it is still set to be significantly higher than the 39 million euros that the 40 Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs lost the previous season.
The paper suggests that lax management, higher policing costs and a 75 percent tax rate on salaries that exceed one million euros have all contributed. The new tax, paid for by employers, is thought to have cost French clubs 40 million euros last season.
Frederic Thiriez, the league's president, has called for help from the government.
"In France, for a salary of 600,000 euros per year you pay 186,000 euros in payroll taxes," he told L'Equipe. "In Germany, it's 12,000 euros.
"If PSG were paying social security contributions at the German rate, they would save 50 million euros per year."
Ligue 1 champions PSG were handed a 60 million-euro fine and Champions League squad reduction by Uefa in May for breaching financial fair pay regulations.
Meanwhile, the French secretary of state for sport, Thierry Braillard, suggested that more imagination is required.
"Our clubs are going to have to stop playing the victim and reflect on ways to boost their competitiveness," he told Les Echos.
"You have to innovate to find other funding. In Germany, stadiums have become lively areas.
"Bayern supporters arrive at 1 p.m. to have a drink and have lunch when the match starts at 3 p.m.
"Revenue at the Allianz Arena, apart from the ticket office, is very significant.
"In France, supporters arrive 15 minutes before the game and they spend very little."