PARIS (AFX) - The French manufacturing sector purchasing managers' index fell to a seasonally adjusted 52.6 in March from 52.9 in February, according to market sources. A reading above 50 indicates that the manufacturing sector is generally expanding, while a reading below 50 suggests that it is generally contracting. The index is based on a questionnaire sent to purchasing managers in around 450 companies by purchasing managers' assocation CDAF.