France: People rejoice as cafes and museums reopen France began its return to normal life on Wednesday when cafes, cinemas and museums across the country reopened as COVID-19 restrictions were loosened. The French on Wednesday joyfully made their way back to cafes, cinemas and museums as the country loosened restrictions in a return to semi-normality after more than six months of Covid-19 curbs. Cafes and restaurants with terraces or rooftop gardens can now offer outdoor dining, under the second phase of a lockdown-lifting plan that should culminate in a full reopening of the economy on 30 June. Museums, cinemas and some theatres are also reopening after being closed for 203 days.