Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hailed a "new relationship" between Iran and France during a visit Thursday that saw the signing of a host of post-sanctions business deals.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hailed a "new relationship" between Iran and France during a visit Thursday that saw the signing of a host of post-sanctions business deals.

"Let us forget the resentment," Rouhani said, calling for both countries to take advantage of the "positive atmosphere" following the removal of nuclear sanctions.

"We are ready to turn the page" and establish a "new relationship between our countries", Rouhani told a meeting of business leaders.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls responded that "Iran can count on France".

"France is ready to use its companies, its engineers, its technicians and its many resources to help to modernize your country," Valls said.

Rouhani was welcomed to Paris with military honors and national anthems on the second leg of a trip signaling Iran's rapprochement with Europe since sanctions were lifted.

Iran agreed Thursday to buy 118 Airbus aircraft worth about $25 billion (22 billion euros), according to a memorandum of understanding signed during a visit to France by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

The deal to purchase 73 long-haul and 45 medium-haul planes, to be finalized once international sanctions against Iran are fully lifted, was signed at a ceremony attended by Rouhani and French President Francois Hollande.

The deal covers "the acquisition of 118 new aircraft, the training of pilots, airport operations and ATM (Air Traffic Management) support," Airbus said in a statement.

French carmaker Peugeot said it will return to the Iranian market in a five-year deal worth 400 million euros ($436 million) that was announced Thursday.

Peugeot will produce 200,000 cars a year in a joint venture with local manufacturer Iran Khodro, according to a statement.

The French carmaker was forced to pull out of Iran in 2012 as sanctions began to bite.

In another potential bonanza for France, the head of French oil giant Total said his firm would sign a deal to buy Iranian crude.

Rouhani is to hold talks with President Francois Hollande which are expected to include discussions on the Syrian crisis.

After arriving from Italy, where he sealed deals for steel and pipelines worth between 15 and 17 billion euros, Rouhani began his Paris visit on Wednesday by unveiling a scheme to guarantee investment by French firms in Iran.