Russian President Vladimir Putin met his newly inaugurated French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, in Versailles on Monday in what was seen as a symbolic step towards improving relations.
The leaders are expected to discuss bilateral relations, particularly trade and anti-terrorism collaboration, as well as the peace process for the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine, the Kremlin said in a statement.
The leaders are also scheduled on Tuesday to attend the opening of an exhibition in Versailles marking the 300th anniversary of Russian emperor Peter the Great's trip to France.
The meeting, taking place about two weeks after Macron's inauguration, is seen as a symbolic step, but no breakthrough is expected, analysts told dpa.
Putin rejected the allegations of Russian interference with France's presidential campaign.
During the French election campaign, Macron's team accused Russia of siding with his far-right rival, Marine Le Pen, who met Putin in Moscow in March
Relations between the European Union and Russia have fallen to an all-time low since Russia annexed a part of neighbouring Ukraine three years ago. Sanctions between the EU and Russia continue to hinder trade.
"France's business community is among the most vocal opponents of the anti-Russia sanctions in Europe," said Nabi Abdullaev, associate director for Russia at the global consultancy Control Risks Group.
However, Macron and Putin's meeting is mostly symbolic, Abdullaev told dpa. "There will be no breakthroughs, but still it would definitely be a step toward improving the relations between Russia and France."
Macron's campaign was marred by allegations of Russian hackers attempting to interfere in the election process by releasing a huge trove of leaked emails.
"Macron demonstrates a pragmatic approach by inviting Putin to Paris so early after becoming president," Abdullaev said.
Mark Galeotti, senior researcher at the Institute of International Relations Prague, had a more critical outlook.
"I don't imagine Macron will be looking to pick an open fight, but frankly the Russians have managed to turn a potential sympathizer into a sceptic," Galeotti told dpa.
Macron, he predicted, is "not going to spend any political capital helping Putin."
At last week's G7 summit in Italy, Macron said he was looking forward to a discerning dialogue on the Syrian conflict with the Russian leader.
'Not a single concession'
Macron said he would make "not a single concession" to Russia on the long-running conflict in Ukraine as he and his G7 counterparts said they were prepared to strengthen sanctions against Moscow.
Government forces have been battling Moscow-backed insurgents in eastern Ukraine for over three years.
Western powers charge Russia with failing to honor its commitments under the Minsk accords framework for ending the hostilities.
France helped spearhead the sanctions, which have seriously dented EU-Russia trade, with a retaliatory Russian embargo on European agricultural products hurting French farmers.
The six-year-long Syrian conflict will also be high on the agenda, with Macron saying he was in favor of "building an inclusive political solution in a much more collective way".
He regretted that none of the G7 states are party to Syria peace talks under way in the Kazakh capital Astana initiated by Russia, Iran and Turkey.
Separate UN-backed negotiations have become bogged down in Geneva.
Separate UN-backed negotiations have become bogged down in Geneva.
Russia is a strong supporter of the Assad regime whereas, as Putin adviser Yuri Ushakov said before the visit, France "is among the countries with a very severe stance towards (Assad's) regime".