Third of French have affairs

The new survey also showed one in 10 respondents used the internet in office hours to flirt.

The poll backs up a trend across the developed world where many meet their long-term partners in the office due to working ever longer hours.

"Workplace life has long been considered a neutral zone, out of bounds to feelings and love. Frankly, it's actually more like a bar or a nightclub, a place that helps people meet up," said Ronan Chastellier, a sociologist who presented the survey.