French shares fell on Wednesday with the benchmark Paris CAC 40 Index lost 1.40 percent to close at 5,145.70 points.

French economy is expected to grow by 0.5 percent in the third quarter, according to a first estimate by the central bank. The forecast is based on an improvement in the business climate in July in the industrial sector.

Ahold Delhaize declined 3.02 percent to 17.17 euros despite the publication of strong quarterly results, while Sanofi lost 1.63 percent to 80.84 euros.

On the previous trading day, French shares edged up 0.21 percent to close at 5,218.89 points.