France's centre-right UMP party and its allies have taken first place in the first round of local elections, partial results show.
Projections suggest that the far-right National Front - despite strong gains - came second with about 25% of the vote, behind the conservatives on about 30%.
President Francois Hollande's governing Socialists came third with 21%.
Voters are electing representatives in 101 departments, or counties, charged with issues like schools and welfare.
The results mean the second round on 29 March will see a run-off between the UMP and the National Front (FN) in many constituencies.
UMP leader Nicolas Sarkozy said outcome of the elections demonstrated "the French people's profound desire for change".
"The conditions for a massive swing back to the right and the centre are in place," he added.
Mr Sarkozy also ruled out any "local or national" deals with the FN in constituencies where one of the two parties was involved in run-offs with the Socialists.
In the past, voters for rival parties have rallied against the far right group in the second round of voting.
The poor results for the Socialists follows on from their defeats in municipal and EU elections last year.
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