By Stacy Meichtry

PARIS--French business sentiment rose unexpectedly in October as industrial entrepreneurs were more optimistic about their activities in the coming months, France's official statistics agency Insee said Thursday.

The reading of sentiment in the manufacturing sector rose to 97 in October from 96 in September. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected a reading of 95 in October.

However, business owners polled by Insee said their order books were at a level they considered below normal for the period.

Write to Stacy Meichtry at stacy.meichtry@wsj.com