The death penalty, submarines and terrorism will be on the agenda when Tony Abbott meets French President Francois Hollande in Paris on Monday.
The prime minister has put France on a short-list of countries able to bid for the multi-billion-dollar contract to replace the Collins class submarines.
President Hollande also shares Australia's concerns about Indonesia's imminent execution of 10 convicted drug smugglers, which could occur as early as Wednesday.
The meeting could result in a commitment to joint action to ensure the executions of Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran and France's Serge Atlaoui do not go ahead.
There are reports Atlaoui has already been granted a temporary reprieve after pressure from the French government.
The leaders could also agree on a diplomatic strategy if Indonesia goes ahead with the executions.
Chan and Sukumaran on Saturday were given the minimum 72-hour notice period before their executions.
United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has urged Indonesia not to carry out the executions.
Mr Abbott says he also wants to discuss new measures to tackle foreign fighters and reduce violent extremism.
The French president, who will host an international climate summit later in 2015, will be seeking greater co-operation on climate action and urging Australia to release its updated emissions reduction target in coming months.
Talks are also under way on a European Union free trade agreement.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop signalled a joint international effort on stopping the executions was likely.
"I have spoken to a number of counterpart foreign ministers overseas, particularly those whose citizens are in a similar position, and they likewise are seeking clemency for their nationals," she told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
"I respectfully call on President Widodo to reconsider his refusal to grant clemency. It is not too late for a change of heart."
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