French shares edged down on Thursday, with the benchmark Paris CAC 40 down 0.04 percent, or 2.26 points, to close at 5,113.13 points.

A total of 15 of the 40 selected large companies gained in the day.

French energy management company Engie advanced 1.29 percent, the top gainer of the blue chips. French ophthalmic lenses producer Essilor rose 0.95 percent. French assurance group AXA gained 0.93 percent.

French distribution group Carrefour went down by 2.06 percent, the top loser of the blue chips.

International leader in oil and gas projects and technologies Technipfmc lost 1.61 percent. French automobile equipment producer Valeo edged down 1.28 percent.