France, March 26 -- Members of the Republican Guard carried Jospin's French flag-draped casket into the courtyard of the building that houses Napoleon's tomb to the beat of a drum.

"He helped bring France into the new century," Macron said. "Lionel Jospin modernised the nation's economic, social and democratic life in an unprecedented manner."

Jospin introduced the 35-hour work week and civil partnerships for gay couples when he was head of government between 1997 and 2002.

France's parity law boosts female candidates, but most mayors are still men Political legacy

He ran for president in 2002 but was eliminated in the first round after finishing behind Jacques Chirac and Jean-Marie Le Pen, the father of far-right presidential hopeful...