Defence minister visits French sub builder

Defence Minister Kevin Andrews will visit a naval shipyard in France to inspect a possible contender for construction of Australia's next-generation submarine fleet.

France, along with Japan and Germany, has been invited to partner local shipbuilders in providing replacements for the nation's ageing Collins Fleet.

Mr Andrews will inspect the Direction des Constructions Navales Services shipyards, home of the Scorpene class submarine, on Friday.

French foreign minister Laurent Fabius told Australian counterpart Julie Bishop in Paris his government was honoured to be part of the bid process.

"I am convinced that the French bid will match the needs of the Australian army, and we will provide our best," he said.