A search for one of the crews was under way, AFP reported.
The two jets were from the Saint-Dizier air base, an air force spokesman in Paris told AFP.
One of the pilots ejected himself, he said.
But an instructor and a student pilot from the second aircraft were still missing.
"We are still looking for the second crew," the spokesman said.
The accident occurred in Colombey-les-Belles, a town in northeastern France, according to the prefecture.
MNA