French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said on Sunday the destiny of France was at stake in a forthcoming confidence vote, which he called to resolve a budget standoff but is expected to lose.

Bayrou sat down for an interview with four news channels as the clock ticks down to the September 8 vote in parliament. Opposition parties have already said they will not back his austerity budget.

The vote in parliament will not decide "the fate of the prime minister" but "the fate of France", Bayrou said.

He stunned France on Monday last week by saying he would request the vote in a divided parliament, as he tries to garner enough support for his minority government's plan to slash spending.

"The days ahead are crucial," the 74-year-old prime minister said in the interview with franceinfo, LCI, BFMTV and Cnews.

He indicated that he was not ready to say "goodbye", as the opposition urged.

"If you think that I can give up the battles that I fight, that I am fighting here, that I have been fighting for years and that I will continue to fight in the future, you are mistaken."

Bayrou accused some political forces in France of wanting to sow "chaos", targeting in particular hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon.

From Monday, Bayrou hopes to hold negotiations with the opposition parties provided they commit to savings measures to reduce France's debt. Members of the opposition, however, say it is too late.

Earlier on Sunday, Socialist leader Olivier Faure said the party's decision to vote against Bayrou's government was final.

"The only thing I'm waiting for him to do now is to say goodbye," said Faure, referring to the prime minister.

Bayrou dismissed the Socialist Party's budget proposals.

"What the Socialist party is proposing is not to curb spending, but to let spending take off again," he said.

Bayrou has said sacrifices must be made to ensure France's future.

Bayrou said he wanted to save about 44 billion euros, but his plan – which includes reducing the number of holidays and placing a freeze on spending increases – has proved unpopular.

Seven out of 10 French people say they want Bayrou to lose the confidence vote, according to a recent poll. (AFP)