French police have seized about six tonnes of cannabis and arrested three suspected drug traffickers in the southern city of Marseille, Interior Minister Bernrad Cazeneuve announced Monday.

Cazeneuve said this was the largest seizure of cannabis in France since 2011.

According to the minister, police, on Sunday morning, found 5.64 tonnes of cannabis hidden in a villa occupied by the three suspects and 150 kg was found in a vehicle.

Cazeneuve will accompany French President Francois Hollande for a visit to Marseille later in the day to show the government's determination "to fight relentlessly against all forms of crime."