France confirmed 10,561 new coronavirus cases on Saturday – the highest daily number since the pandemic began.
This is the first time that COVID-19 infections have topped 10,000 in a single day.
A previous record of 9,843 new infections was reported on Thursday.
France has been grappling with a resurgence in coronavirus cases, and on Friday French Prime Minister Jean Castex outlined plans to speed up testing and toughen measures in certain cities.
The French government is seeking to avoid a repeat of a nationwide lockdown.
Mr Castex, who himself came out of self-isolation on Saturday after testing negative for COVID-19 following contact with someone with the virus, has warned that the situation is “obviously worsening”.
He announced Friday that the self-isolation time for COVID-19 in France has been reduced from 14 days to seven days because it is the period “when there is a real risk of contagion” and in order to better ensure the enforcement of the measure.
French health authorities argued this week that the 14-day quarantine was not well respected by many in the country who considered it too long.
Mr Castex announced that specific testing centres will be set up to provide results in priority to people who have symptoms or have been in close contact with someone tested positive or are medical staff.
People around France have reported long queues to get tested and several days to get the results.