PARIS (AFX) - The Caisse des Depots et Consignations (CDC) said it lowered its forecast for growth in the French economy over the fourth quarter to 0.1 pct from 0.2, and said it expects 0.2 pct growth in the first quarter of 2002. It said "there will not be a recession" in France. It raised its forecast for the third quarter to 0.3 pct from 0.2. CDC said the figures show that growth, although weak, will not be negative over the next six months and that there is a "high probability France will escape recession (two negative quarters in succession)".