Yes, the French Defense is a good opening. After 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 White has several different choices.
After 3 ed5 ed5 the pawns in the center are equal and there is a lot of room for the pieces to move around and attack things.
After 3. e5 white has a little more space, it's easier for him to move his pieces to the g and f files, but because of the pawns clogging up the center it is hard to generate any attacks.
After 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 white has more space, look at the squares your rook can move to if you put it on e1, and there are many squares for your pieces to go where they can attack something.
After 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Ne4 we reach the same position as after 3. Nc3. The main difference is Black can pin the knight on c3 with 3. Nc3 Bb4. If 3. Nd2 Bb4 4. c3 breaks the pin.
For someone just learning about openings I would recommend playing 3. exd5 and trying to quickly develop your pieces.
A friend I usually play chess with, sometimes chooses de french defense. It is a good defense? Could someone tell me the avantatges and desavantatges of the french defense?