Europe's main stock markets opened higher on Monday, attempting to recover from last week's sharp decline due to financial turbulence linked to the upcoming legislative elections in France.

In Paris, the CAC 40 gained 0.98% to 7,576.59 points at around 07:34 GMT. In Frankfurt, the Dax advanced by 0.71% and in London, the FTSE 100 by 0.47%.

The EuroStoxx 50 index gained 1.18%, the FTSEurofirst 300 0.66% and the Stoxx 600 0.64%.

The markets are attempting a rebound after a difficult week, during which the prospect of a victory for far-right or far-left parties in the French parliamentary elections exerted strong pressure on sovereign debt, the euro and banking sector shares.

Investors are particularly concerned about the risks hanging over the budgetary situation in France, the eurozone's second-largest economy.

On the value side, French banks BNP Paribas, Société Générale and Crédit Agricole were up 0.6% to 1.9% at Monday's opening after losing between 12% and 16% last week, their biggest decline since the banking crisis of March 2023.

Elsewhere in Europe, Danish insurer Topdanmark, which is to be taken over by its Finnish rival Sampo, gained over 20%.

Dutch bank ING gained 3.4% after announcing its medium-term outlook at its investor day.

(Written by Diana Mandiá, edited by Blandine Hénault)