Gabriel Attal said an announcement will be made "by the end of the week" confirming that COVID travel restrictions will be relaxed for Britons visiting France.

Mr Attal said that France had already expanded the category under which British visitors could enter the country for business reasons.

His words came a day after Alexandre Holroyd, a French National Assembly member who represents the country's expatriates living in the UK, wrote on Twitter: "Following numerous discussions with the government, considerable reductions in health measures at the borders will be announced very soon."

Customers could be 'one of the few lucky skiers in France this weekend'

One travel agent, Ski Line, is selling ski trips from the UK to France departing on Saturday in anticipation of the travel ban ending.

The Kent-based firm told customers they could be "one of the few lucky skiers in France this weekend", adding that travel would be refunded before Friday if there is no announcement on the travel ban being lifted.

France introduced a ban on non-essential travel to and from the UK on 18 December in an effort to slow the spread of the Omicron variant.

On Wednesday, the country reported 361,719 new COVID-19 cases, 246 new deaths, and 16 new admissions to intensive care units.

Currently, those people allowed to enter France from the UK have to have a negative test within 24 hours of their departure.

They must also isolate for 48 hours after arrival before taking another test.

Last week, the UK eased its restrictions.

Those who are fully vaccinated no longer need a test before arriving in the UK and they can take a lateral flow test - rather than a PCR - after their arrival.