The state currently holds just over 50 percent of ADP's share capital. Earlier this month, France's lower house of parliament approved plans for the possible privatisation of ADP, lottery operator Francaise des Jeux (FDJ) and for a reduction of France's stake in utility Engie.

Those privatisation proposals form part of a broader strategy to raise cash to boost the economy and finance technological innovations in France.

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Gilles Guillaume; Editign by Simon Cameron-Moore)