"Francois Bayrou is appointed as prime minister," the presidential office said, as quoted by media.
Earlier, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier resigned after a vote of no confidence in his government was accepted by a majority.
Bayrou is the leader of the Renaissance-allied Modem Party and he is considered a key centrist ally of President Emmanuel Macron.
Before announcing the new head of government, Macron held an almost two-hour-long meeting with Bayrou, which did not go well, media reported, citing sources.
French media reported that another candidate for prime minister, former Defense Minister and Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian turned down the post, saying that in two years he would be 80, and it would be "simply ridiculous" to accept the offer.
New Vote of No Confidence Ahead
The left-wing party La France Insoumise will put forward a vote of no confidence in the government of the newly appointed Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, party's parliament faction leader Mathilde Panot said on Friday.