"Gentlemen, you cannot stay in a static position. You must resume your ride or we will be forced to verbalize you. Perched on their horses, the two officials of the Republican Guard do not really leave the choice to the strollers who came to sunbathe on the benches or the steps of the Montmartre basilica (Paris XVIII). This Sunday afternoon, while the thermometer is flirting with 24 degrees in the capital, they are fifty "confined" to take advantage of a break without thinking a second challenge the rule.
"This is the first time that we have checked the ride box on our authorization since the start of confinement, plead Marine and Mathieu. We heard that the French are going out too much, but for us it's a first apart from the races. And then it's Sunday, it's also a way of marking time a bit. "
While Martin Hirsch, the boss of Paris hospitals, deplored "too many people in the streets, too many strollers, too many walkers" in the capital and that Valérie Pécresse, the president of the region, urged the people of Paris to stay At home as much as possible despite the holidays and the good weather, there are still many of them this Sunday enjoying the authorized walking time.
On the banks of the Ourcq canal, at the Trocadéro or even on the Champs-Elysées, the police are numerous to check the authorizations using firmness and pedagogy. In one hour, in Montmartre, no PV but many recommendations. "We even use drones to cover the woods of Boulogne and Vincennes," said an official.
"It's too tempting and we're really starting to suffocate"
Same observation in the other big cities of France where the effect of the weather on the respect of confinement has already been felt. In Lyon (Rhône), in the Croix-Rousse district, families bask and sunbathe on Place du Gros-Caillou or Montée de la Grande-Côte. Children run around, play ball or ride a bike. Parents chat with each other, read books or play sports.
Anaïs, Martin and their two children admit having spent several hours outside. "It's true that there is a relaxation," admits the mother, chatting with other parents in the neighborhood, "but there, it's too tempting and we're really starting to suffocate." Controls ? "We never saw the police here," she says, confident.
Stéphanie, accompanied by her two teenagers, returns home with an arm under her arm… a beach basket. "We went for a picnic and sunbathed along the Rhône," says the 40-something smirked. The certificates are at the bottom of the basket. "You just have to change the exit time regularly," she says. I fear neither the gendarme nor the Covid-19, because I was already sick in March, so now I take advantage of it, I recover. "
"It's the game of death and life"
In Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône), it is hardly better. "There are many more cars on the paths that lead to the hill, people are going out more this weekend," says Christian, a resident of Allauch, a town on the outskirts of Marseille which overlooks the Garlaban massif. By the sea, beaches are prohibited, but joggers are increasing. "We need to get some fresh air, we go crazy staying in our little apartment," says Fred, taking the sun in a street in the 8th arrondissement with his partner.
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"Almost everywhere, there is this temptation to go out," confirms the prefect of police Emmanuel Barbe. In the past two days, the tickets have increased. In Paca, the crisis will come: it is not the game of cat and mouse, it is the game of death and life, this business. "
The palm of good citizenship goes to the inhabitants of the Atlantic coast. The instructions were generally respected in Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, located at the gates of Royan (Charente-Maritime). Usually crowded under the spring sun, the seaside town looked like a desert island this Sunday. The few strollers on the coast were all residents in search of light and fresh air within reach of home. "We are within our perimeter," warn Delphine and Frédéric Blamont with a smile. Settled close to the wild coast, the couple and their daughter Daphne went out for a short walk: "It's difficult not to see the sea when you live next door ... But here, the rules are respected. Usually it's crowded, there is no place to park. "
