The motion would have required 289 votes to be adopted by a majority of the 577-seat national assembly. But only 197 members joined the no-confidence vote against Barnier.
Michel Barnier comes from the traditional right and has, among other things, negotiated Britain's exit from the EU. He was recently appointed by President Emmanuel Macron in an attempt to create stability after the difficult parliamentary situation following the election in July.
The 73-year-old prime minister has since then flagged that France is facing a financial crisis if the budget deficit is not reduced and warned of tax increases for high-income earners.
Macron himself has taken a noticeable step back in recent weeks, particularly in domestic issues, while barely speaking publicly.
