Paris - French shares shrugged off Wall Street's weak opening and were holding on to modest gains in mid-afternoon trading on Tuesday.

The Paris Bourse's CAC 40 blue-chip index was up 0.91 per cent, to 3,210.04, with advancing issues and declining shares about even in number.

The fragile French-Belgian bank Dexia led the losers, giving up 11.3 per cent, to 4.15 euros, while steel maker Vallourec was off 5.3 per cent, at 91.93 euros.

The winners' list was headed by drug maker Sanofi-Aventis, up 7.16 per cent, to 43.57 euros, while oil giant Total was gaining 4.73 per cent, to 34.77 euros, on rising oil prices and an imminent OPEC meeting. (dpa)