Falling output across the bloc meant the 17-nation economy shrank 0.2 percent in the January to March period after falling 0.6 percent a quarter earlier. The Eurozone's economy contracted for the sixth straight quarter at the start of this year, marking its longest recession on records dating back to 1995.
As well as France, the economy shrank for the quarter in Finland, Cyprus, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Greece. Germany, which generates almost a third of the euro zone's output, grew by a weaker-than-expected 0.1 percent, avoiding a recession but highlighting the devastating impact of the euro zone's debt and banking crisis that has driven unemployment to a record 19 million people.