French shares closed almost flat on Wednesday, with the benchmark Paris CAC 40 down 0.02 percent, or 1.24 points, to close at 5,362.41 points.

Twenty-four of the 40 selected large companies lost in the day.

Oil and gas firm Technipfmc tumbled 2.91 percent, the top loser of the blue chips. Credit Agricole, a French network of cooperative and mutual banks was down 1.41 percent. French company producing ophthalmic lenses, Essilor Intl. edged down 1.19 percent.

French multinational electric utility company Engie S.A.rose 2.70 percent, the top gainer of the day. French luxury goods holding company Kering gained 1.58 percent. French multinational automotive supplier Valeo was up 1.07 percent.