The present tense in French corresponds both to the present simple and present continuous in English. Let's take a look at how it works.
French
English
Je vais à l'école à pied.
I'm walking to school.
Usage of the Present Tense in French
The present tense in French (le présent) is used for:
Rule 1: current actions or states of being.
French
English
J'ai faim.
I'm hungry.
Rule 2: actions in the near future with a time indicator.
French
English
Je pars dans une heure.
I'm leaving in an hour.
Rule 3: general facts.
French
English
La terre est ronde.
The earth is round.
Present Continuous in French
Rule 4: The French language doesn't have a present continuous tense. Instead, the present is used to convey the continuous actions in the present:
French
English
Je fais mes devoirs.
I'm doing my homework.