European stock markets closed lower on Tuesday, with French equities surrendering gains that came after respondents in a poll viewed center-right politician Emmanuel Macron as the winner of the first presidential debate ahead of this spring's elections.

Europe's leading Blue-chip index, EURO STOXX 50 fell 7.86 points or 0.23 percent to settle at 3,429.62. UK's benchmark index FTSE 100 lost 51.47 points or 0.69 percent to close at 7,378.34.

Meanwhile, Germany's benchmark index DAX lost 90.77 points or 0.75 percent to end at 11,962.13. French benchmark index CAC 40 declined 9.73 points or 0.19 percent to end at 5,002.43.