During his time in Germany, he was called up for the first time to the France national football team. During the 1970–71 season, Gress returned to his homeland and joined Olympique Marseille, then two-time French champions. From 1973 to 1975, he came back to RC Strasbourg, before moving for one year to Neuchâtel Xamax in Switzerland and ending his playing career in 1977.