The German DAX ended slightly lower as profit-taking reversed early modest gains.

Trading volumes were generally low but dealers said the strength of the dollar, together with an up-beat spring report by Germany's six leading economic institutes, allowed the German market to withstand most of the previous night's Dow fall.

CAC-40: 2514.67 (-8)

French shares closed down, though off their day's lows, on election jitters tempered by rising prices on Wall Street and expectations that the French conservatives would win the snap election called on Monday.

"The market's a bit afraid of everything, though it appears the Right has a good chance of winning, albeit with a smaller majority," one trader said.

Milan Mibtel: 12252 (-47)

Italian shares closed mostly weaker, hit by a bout of nerves after the announcement of the French election which cast what some investors saw as a shadow over progress towards EMU.