Townsend delighted with Paris triumph
The Scottish side claimed only their third win on French soil to set up a Pool One decider with Munster.
Glasgow's quarterfinal push faded last season when they were beaten by Dan Carter and co.
But Alex Dunbar and Ali Price crossed at Stade Yves-Du-Manoir to seal a hard-fought 23-14 victory.
And Townsend hailed his Warriors after a herculean defensive effort.
"It was great seeing the players going out there and performing," he said.
"We missed that opportunity last year with a couple of errors that they capitalised on. But we looked after the ball really well and took our chances especially in the first half.
"We were outstanding in defence, not only in general but in our line-out defence where they are really strong. To get the score just after half-time was crucial, it meant they would have to play and force things and we just had to be really strong defensively. The effort the players put in defensively won us that game."
Finn Russell was named man-of-the-match after he got the better of opposite number Carter and kicked 13 points. The Scotland outside-half sent Dunbar over for his try and made a half-break before Price's second-half score.
But he will have to do it all over again when the French champions arrive at Scotstoun next weekend. And Townsend has urged his men to back-up their famous triumph with another faultless performance.
He said: "Finn loves these big games, he loved it, he kicked very well. There was a number of man-of-the-match performances out there today. Alex Dunbar was excellent, the back-three were excellent dealing with kick chases and Ali Price did really well.
"It will be difficult next week, we know they will come with more knowledge of us and they will throw everything at us. They have only played two games so far and they are a quality side. So we have to make Scotstoun difficult for them."
Source: @ChampionsCup
