Bernard Cazeneuve told regional newspaper the Nord Littoral he would press ahead with the closure of the camp “with the greatest determination”, the Guardian reports.
He said the site will be dismantled in stages, clearing the former wasteland where refugees and migrants are sleeping rough as many hope to reach Britain.
Cazeneuve said France would create accommodation for thousands elsewhere in the country “to unblock Calais”.
Meanwhile the mayor of Calais has said a blockade of the port by French lorry drivers, due to start on Monday, could cause "chaos" for British travellers.
