"Swimming has given a lot to me ... But I wanted to move on. I had my hour of glory," Leveaux, 28, told French TV channel beIN Sport.
Leveaux, who also owns three Olympic silver medals, had said last month he planned to take a year off before returning for the 2016 Rio Games but on Monday confirmed the break would be permanent.
(Writing by Gregory Blachier; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)