As part of the phased reopening, groups of up to six will be able to eat together as restaurant terraces reopen at 50-percent capacity while the curfew will be pushed back from 7pm to 9pm starting on May 19.

Shopping centres, markets and museums must all allot 8 square metres per customer to ensure social distancing is respected.

It is the latest step in a gradual reopening plan that began with allowing inter-regional travel from the start of May.

"Resuming social contact is one of the factors in public wellbeing," public health chief Jérôme Salomon told the JDD Sunday newspaper.

Some restaurant owners were already complaining about the Covid-19 limits on hospitality, given the risk of rain in what has so far been a wet spring.

"Imagine you get the whole machine started again, create a new menu, get all your staff back, but then you have to cancel everything and throw your merchandise away because it's raining," star chef Philippe Etchebest told the JDD.

What's more, less than half of restaurants across France even have space for outdoor dining, he said.

"Impossible," Etchebest concluded, adding that he would wait until the next phase on June 9, when some indoor dining and drinking will also be allowed. 

France also wants to roll back the curfew to 11pm on June 9, and lift it entirely on June 30.

'Emergency brakes' still possible

Cinemas can open at up to 35-percent capacity from Wednesday, with new films jostling for space on the big screen alongside autumn releases that had their runs cut short.

Museums, theatres, zoos, libraries and non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen at partial capacity.

Like other nations, France's reopening is possible thanks to falling infection numbers and an accelerating vaccination scheme, with 20.3 million people having received a first jab so far and 8.8 million fully innoculated.

The government aims to reach 30 million first jabs by mid-June and is now offering next-day appointments to anyone over 18 so as not to waste doses. 

Health ministry officials have not ruled out bringing forward the June 15 date, when all adults will be able to book a vaccine appointment without restrictions.

President Emmanuel Macron has nevertheless warned that if infections again pick up dangerously, the government could hit the "emergency brakes" on the reopening.

"We won't reach collective immunity until we've succeeded with vaccinations and reduced circulation of the virus to a minimum," public health chief Salomon said.

A "health pass" and checks on incoming travellers, especially from hotspots such as India, would remain crucial, he added.