When partial results were available late Sunday, clear voting trends were visible in the first round of local elections.
Centrist politician Édouard Philippe - a possible presidential candidate - looks set to remain mayor of Le Havre in northern France. Philippe was prime minister under Emmanuel Macron.
In Marseille, Nice and Toulon in southern France, the far right did well, while voters turned left in Lille in northern France.
The Socialists seem set to retain power in the capital, Paris.
The elections were held in 35,000 towns and districts, with a second and decisive round to be held next Sunday.
