According to the Banque de France (France's central bank), monthly business survey published on 8 July 2026, construction order books, which gauge how much confirmed work firms hold in their pipeline, remain degraded even though activity rebounded in June. The central bank noted that order books are considered quasi-normal in industry but remain degraded in the building sector, based on responses from about 8.500 business leaders surveyed between 26 June and 3 July.
Activity firmed markedly in industry in June and rebounded in both market services and construction, after a May marked by closures and holidays linked to the timing of public holidays. Firms affected by the heatwave in the second half of June adjusted working hours and, on the whole, managed to maintain their volume of activity, the Banque de France said. Based on the survey results and other indicators, the central bank now estimates that GDP would rise by 0,2% in the second quarter.
For July, business leaders in construction expect a slight increase in activity, but with a contrasted picture: structural work would decline again, while finishing work would continue to progress. Structural-work firms pointed to weak public demand following the municipal elections and to persistent weakness in new-build housing and detached houses. Supply difficulties in construction concerned 7% of firms in June, up from 6% in May.
The survey also flagged a broader rise in recruitment difficulties across sectors, most pronounced in construction, where 26% of firms reported such difficulties, with business leaders citing a lack of qualified staff.