"The peak of March-April is behind us, but we have not finished with the virus. It's necessary to avoid large gatherings and risky behavior," he said.

As of Wednesday, a further 11 patients had succumbed to COVID-19, bringing the total death toll to 29,731.

A total of 9,299 people remain hospitalized, of whom 658 need life support -- a single-day decrease of 24. That was sharply down from 7,000 recorded early April.

Meanwhile, cafes, restaurants and bars throughout the country are reopening, along with swimming pools, museums, libraries, schools and cinemas.

The Eiffel Tower, France's landmark monument, also reopened on Thursday with strict virus restrictions after a shutdown of more than three months.

Its first two floors are accessible via stairs, but the elevators will be out of service until July 1. Wearing a face mask and keeping a 1.5-meter distance remains mandatory throughout the visit.

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