Hopes of summer holidays across the channel were raised on Thursday after France opened its borders to British travellers.
French Tourism Minister Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne said travellers to or from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Britain and Singapore would no longer need a compelling reason to travel.
He said the change was due to the improving health situation in those countries.
All other restrictions, such as a requirement for a negative COVID-19 test less than 72 hours before travel, would remain in place, the ministry said, adding a decree was due to be published on Friday.
Lemoyne said that for other non-European Union countries the list of legitimate travel motives would be widened to take into account family situations.
Among the new legitimate reasons for travel would be families living abroad who have children in school in France, students taking an exam, as well as people returning to their principal residence if that is in France.
It comes the same day cruise operator Cunard announced it will to operate voyages around the UK’s coastline this summer after extending the suspension of its international sailings.
The firm said it will operate staycation trips for UK residents-only on its ship Queen Elizabeth.
Earlier this week, MPs said a Government taskforce planning the resumption of foreign holidays must clarify the criteria that destinations must meet on coronavirus vaccines and testing.
The Transport Select Committee called on the Global Travel Taskforce to set out the criteria passengers will need to fulfil in order to embark on foreign trips.
It also called on the group to state when current quarantine schemes will be phased out, and how the Government will support the aviation industry if the reopening of travel is delayed by high levels of Covid-19 or variants of the virus.
The group will provide a report to Prime Minister Boris Johnson on April 12 setting out recommendations for how and when overseas trips could resume.
