England beat Scotland 40-8 in rainy Bristol after France had battled back from 13-0 down to win 18-13 in their quarter-final in Exeter.
The English now stay in Bristol to face the French for the semi-final next Saturday while New Zealand and Canada, who knocked out Australia on Saturday, play the other semi there on Friday.
England have now become the only team to reach the semi-finals in all 10 women's World Cups while France have got there nine times but never beyond.
The hosts will feel confident, though, as they are on a 16-match winning streak against Les Bleues and Sunday's 31st consecutive Test victory eclipsed their own world record.
Against Scotland ruthless finishing put them out of sight by half-time at 26-3, the visitors eventually succumbing to their 28th straight loss to England since their last win in 1999.
England prop Kelsey Clifford crashed over for her second double in two matches, while lock Morwenna Talling and winger Abby Dow crossed.
After the break, hooker Amy Cokayne scored her 11th World Cup try and Holly Aitchison touched down for a 14-point haul before Rhona Lloyd bagged a Scotland consolation.
Earlier France, with two players in the sin-bin, found themselves 13-0 down to Ireland at half-time of their quarter-final thanks to Linda Djougang and Stacey Flood tries
But they bounced back with 18 unanswered second-half points with Charlotte Escudero and Joanna Grisez crossing and Morgane Bourgeois' eight booted points.
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