The power pair hope to calm discontent in Europe as members of the 28-member Brussels bloc growing increasingly concerned about the numbers of migrants trying to cross the sea from Libya.
Nearly 120,000 migrants have arrived by sea so far this year, with the crisis severely testing cooperation across the European Union.
Italy, who has borne the brunt of the new arrivals, insisted both France and Spain are not doing enough to stem the flow.
But Europhiles Ms Merkal and Mr Macron claim the issue will now be their top priority for the bloc.
The pair were pictured laughing and smiling as they met in Paris today, ahead of a summit of Europe’s “big four” continental powers and three African nations.
Greeting each other at the Elysee Palace, Mr Macron wrinkled up his face as they joked around together – despite the serious nature of the visit.
Leaders at the meeting will seek accord on a migration action plan, notably on tackling the economic model of people traffickers.
An Elysee official said: ”The leaders will be presented a roadmap that outlines … what we want to do to tackle all stages of the migrant route.”
The meeting hosts the leaders of Germany, Italy and Spain as well as the leaders of Chad, Niger and Libya – all three of them transit countries for migrants.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini will also attend.
The Elysee official said the roadmap would include ideas on fighting people traffickers, asylum rights and stabilising chaotic Libya, where thousands of migrants end up before embarking on a perilous Mediterranean sea journey to Europe.
But the meeting has been marred by complaints form Italy that the EU is not doing enough to help.
An Italian government official said he hoped the Paris meeting would accelerate the dispersal of EU funds that have already been promised to Libya.
He added: ”More generally, Italy and Germany have pledged funds to Libya and to other African countries to try and get control of immigration, but France and Spain need to do more.”
Germany said on Monday it had reached an agreement with Egypt to stem the flow of migrants from the Arab country to Europe.
Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said: ”What is important is the joint goal of Germany and Egypt to protect people’s lives and to fight illegal immigration and the criminal smuggling of people.”