The forecast is the same as that of the national statistics agency INSEE, which publishes official GDP figures.

The government is hoping for 0.8 percent GDP growth this year, but INSEE forecasts the French economy to expand by just 0.1 percent in the first half of 2013 as the eurozone states continue to cut spending to reduce their deficits.

INSEE is due to publish its first estimate on French GDP in the final quarter of 2012 on February 14.

The French economy grew by 0.1 percent in the third quarter of 2012 according to INSEE's figures.