France had initially hoped to be able to lift many of its lockdown rules on December 15th - allowing people to travel to visit friends and family over the holidays.

French govt to impose a curfew from 8 pm to 6 am for 3 weeks

"The virus is spreading across France at a speed that even the most pessimistic did not predict... As elsewhere in Europe, we are overwhelmed by a second wave that will probably be more difficult and deadly than the first," Macron said.

'COVID-19's 2nd wave will be more difficult and deadly', says Emmanuel Macron

French health authorities said the country has reached over 1.04 million confirmed coronavirus cases, becoming the second country in Western Europe after Spain to reach that number of known infections.

France's coronavirus cases top 1 million as daily tally hits new high

In its worst performance since 1945, the French economy shrank around 6% in the first quarter of this year as the coronavirus pandemic decimated business activity

French economy shrinks 6% in Q1