World number one Nadal came out on top in an all-Spanish affair 12 months ago, coming through in straight sets 6-3 6-2 6-3.
It was the eighth time Nadal had lifted the trophy at Roland Garros in the last nine years, with only Roger Federer’s win over Robin Soderling in 2009 spoiling that run.
As the number one seed, Nadal has been drawn in the top quarter of the draw, with fifth seed Ferrer also in that section.
The defending champion – bidding for a record fifth consecutive title – has been paired against American Robby Ginepri in round one, while Ferrer must get past Dutchman Igor Sijsling at the first hurdle.
The duo will then face three more rounds before their potential last-eight meeting in the second week of the tournament,
Novak Djokovic, second seed and runner-up two years ago, takes on world number 42 Joao Sousa in the first round while Federer, who lost to Nadal in 2011, will come up against Lukas Lacko.
Should Federer come through rounds one to four, the Swiss could face sixth seed Tomas Berdych.
Third seed Stanislas Wawrinka, meanwhile, has been paired with Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, and could come up against seventh seed Andy Murray in the last eight, with the Scot due to face Kazakhstan’s Andrey Golubev in round one.
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