French efforts to lure financiers from London to Paris have been ridiculed by top City figures, who have rejected the country’s attempts to paint itself as a pro-business, tax-light haven with flexible labour laws.

Christian Noyer, the former governor of the Bank of France, has been on a City charm offensive, trying to convince financial institutions to set up over the Channel, arguing that the French capital would be more attractive than post-Brexit Britain.

However, The Sunday Telegraph understands the pitch has failed to impress London’s elite, who associate France more with high taxes and tough employment laws.

“Not in a million years,” said a senior London financier.