french drain/ wet basement

We had to dig out our city water line at the foundation of our house in November 03 because of a leak in the connection. Installed a new strip of pipe and faucet-thing that went from 3 feet outside the house thru the foundation and into the basement where we can turn the water off. Since then we have had water in the basement there when it rains. I am thinking a french drain is the solution. We put a hose type extension on our drain spout from gutter to eliminate that as a source. Have any of you ever done a french drain? Or????