France's annual consumer inflation unexpectedly eased to 5.9% in December, according to preliminary data released on Wednesday.
The figure fell from a historic high of 6.2% in November and was lower than the market forecast of a 6.4% year-on-year rise.
The decline was led by a slowdown in energy prices and, to a lesser extent, service prices, French statistical office Insee said.
Energy prices were up 15.1% from a year ago in December, following an 18.4% surge in November.
On a monthly basis, France's consumer prices dropped 0.1% in December, after a 0.3% spike in November, thanks to lower petroleum product prices.
