"There is a horizon with vaccines. We begin to see the effect of vaccinations on the epidemic," government spokesman Gabriel Attal said after a government meeting led by President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday.

The return to normal life with openings was in sight but at present, the situation was still "worrying," though there was not an explosion of cases, he said.

Attal also announced a press conference for Thursday regarding possible further restrictions.

Prime Minister Jean Castex had previously called a heightened alert level for 20 departements, including Paris, urging local authorities to propose tighter measures.

In the southern city of Nice and the northern port of Dunkerque, lockdowns are already in place on weekends.

Observers suggest similar measures could also enter into force in other affected areas.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo had previously ruled out another lockdown in the capital, saying it would be "inhumane".

France has imposed a nightly curfew at 6 pm for the past weeks.

Meanwhile, the French state council on Wednesday suspended a blanket curfew for people living in care homes, after health authorities had recommended care home residents refrain from leaving the facilities and receiving visits altogether.

The blanket ban was "disproportionate," the highest administrative court in Paris said, after children of a care home resident had appealed to the state council.

The council found most care home residents were vaccinated and the shots were having a positive impact in preventing infections and severe COVID-19.

"Relevant measures should therefore be taken by the care home leadership on a case-by-case basis," the council said.

The number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days recently rose to around 221 in France.

Australian Associated Press