INSEE, France’s statistics office, said the marked deceleration was driven by a sharp slowdown in consumer spending, which grew by just 0.1pc during the quarter, following growth of 0.9pc in the first three months of 2015.
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Economic growth in Germany accelerated slightly in the second quarter but hit the brakes in France, underscoring the big divergences within the eurozone that threaten its prospects for a sustained recovery.
Gross domestic product and inflation figures from across the eurozone are due out later in the morning.
Analysts expect eurozone GDP to grow 0.4% on a quarterly basis, matching the first quarter’s pace.
But the government, which has been pinning its hopes on growth to tackle the country’s chronic unemployment problems, will not have been cheered by slowing growth in investment, which rose only 0.2 percent compared to 0.6 percent in the first quarter.
Finland’s economy recorded a second quarter of contraction, down 0.4% having recorded negative growth of 0.1% in the first quarter.
Zero growth in the three months to June follows an expansion of 0.7pc in the first three months of the year.
Economists warn that, without a pickup in business activity, eurozone countries will continue to struggle with high debts and unemployment.
French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said stronger exports and investments made the government confident in its estimate of 1 percent annual GDP growth for the year.
Destatis said that the exports had become increasingly competitive on the back of a weaker euro, however inventories declined.
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“We must stay the course”, Mr. Sapin said.
