Confidence in France's factories rose to the highest level in a year in October, according to official data which beat expectations and was the first sign of the economy's health in the fourth quarter.
Morale rose to 89 in October from 86 in September, the monthly report from statistics office INSEE showed.
"According to company bosses interviewed in October, the industrial outlook has improved again," the report said.
Order books improved, as did the personal outlook for production over the next few months.
The report tallies with other recent data including industry output and factory PMIs pointing to an improvement.
The economy grew a surprise 0.3 percent in the second quarter and economy minister Christine Lagarde said on Tuesday the third quarter would be better than previous ones.
Reuters