Curfews, cinemas, shops, sport ... Everything that changes Wednesday

So many expectations as the second stage of deconfinement approaches, which starts Wednesday in France.

This is the day that we can go back to sip a coffee on the terrace, see a film in the cinema, visit an exhibition ... All these places have been closed for six and a half months (and even seven months in Île-de-France. and in eight cities).

It will also be possible to go shopping in any store.

The reopening will however be partial, before additional relief planned during the next two stages, on June 9 and then on June 30 (except in certain territories if the health situation has deteriorated significantly by then).

It should also be noted that the French Overseas Territories are subject to slightly different timetables at the local level.

Read also Reopenings, health pass, gauges: the government's detailed deconfinement plan

We take stock of everything that changes for you, in metropolitan France, on Wednesday.

Curfew shifted to 9 p.m.

Fixed at 8 p.m., 6 p.m. then 7 p.m. everywhere in metropolitan France since December, the curfew will pass Wednesday at 9 p.m.

All French people will be able to enjoy two extra hours in the open air in the evening.

The ban on leaving home (unless there is a compelling reason) should be postponed to 11 p.m. on June 9, before being completely lifted on June 30.

Return to the terrace

Closed continuously since October 30 or even since October 17, cafes, bars and restaurants will partially reopen.

Only the terraces will be able to accommodate customers, respecting a tonnage of 50% of the initial capacity.

Establishments with a small outdoor space will however be exempt from this limit, but they will have to install partitions (plexiglass, plants, etc.) between the tables.

And beware: these cannot accommodate more than six people each.

LP Restaurants /

The hotels will also be able to reopen their indoor restaurants, but only for customers of "all inclusive" stays.

No more closed shops

Supermarkets, pharmacies and other sellers of “essential” products will no longer be alone.

All shops, especially those in the clothing sector, will be able to reopen on Wednesday.

Those of less than 8m² can only receive one customer, the others must make sure to reserve 8m² for each person.

In the cinema, in the theater, in museums

Back to the Dark Halls!

The cinemas will reopen on Wednesday, but with a gauge at 35% of their maximum capacity (with a ceiling of 800 spectators) and two free seats between each spectator or each group.

Same conditions for theaters.

We can also return to see an exhibition or visit a museum, but each place must guarantee a space of 8 m2 per visitor.

Indoor and outdoor sport

The sports halls and indoor swimming pools will be able to reopen unconditionally, but only for priority practitioners (in particular minors in schools, extracurriculars and high level athletes).

On the public side, the gauge will be set at 35%, with a ceiling of 800 spectators.

For the general public, it will be necessary to wait until June 9.

In the external establishments, non-priority people will be able to devote themselves only to non-contact sports at first.

Finally, in the open air, it will be possible to do physical exercise in groups of 10 maximum and without contact.

More freedom for weddings

All places of worship (churches, synagogues, mosques, etc.) will be able to accommodate believers, but only one in three seats will be able to be occupied and it will be necessary to position oneself staggered between each row.

Couples who get married can invite guests up to

35% maximum of the capacity of the premises, indoors and outdoors, including marquees.

Finally, funeral ceremonies will now be able to accommodate 50 people.

Partial return to college

Higher education will resume face-to-face, but with a tonnage of 50% of the workforce and a reinforced health protocol to be observed.

The university exams which were scheduled until May 2 inclusive have been postponed.