It's the magic of Christmas, or rather of the nighttime curfew back this Tuesday, December 15 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. instead of the second confinement against the Covid-19 epidemic.
In front of the windows of the department stores on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris, there is no longer a cat or almost at 8:30 pm to admire the automatons, especially the “Touschuss” family, these funny fondue eaters who congregate in a cable car.
At the same time the day before, there was still a slew of strollers.
The street vendor of chestnuts and the seller of motorized puppies or luminous balloons have disappeared from circulation.
We come across Christelle, a “solo mom” from Essonne who came with her children aged 6 and 8, to take full view, alone in the world but… outlaw.
“We thought we were going to be home earlier, but to come here, we spent a lot of time in the car in traffic jams,” she explains.
In front of the Christmas windows of the department stores on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris, Monday evening and Tuesday at 8 p.m./LP/Olivier Arandel
We went to the same places Monday evening and Tuesday in this district of the 9th arrondissement, and we can say that it is day and night.
Except at 8 p.m. sharp at the Saint-Lazare metro station.
Despite the new restrictions, the escalators that lead to lines 9, 12, 13 and 14 are still being stormed by bipeds in a hurry leaving work.
Among them, Sabrina, 28, beautician who has "not yet" the professional certificate.
“But I have a WhatsApp conversation with my employer, I hope it works in the event of a control,” she breathes.
Martine, 43, a shoe seller, has the official document, just like Mélanie, 29, in foreign language training.
"It's still going on the first night"
On the forecourt of the station, we meet Boulaye, a 25-year-old baker angry with the news.
"Oh, is it curfew tonight?"
»He wonders.
Patrick, 64, retired from Normandy on vacation in the capital, accelerates his pace to go to his hotel, a “Mac Do Menu” in hand.
"A few minutes of exceeding the curfew, it still passes the first evening," he says.
The chairs anchored in the ground are almost deserted.
The day before, we met Rose, a 22-year-old student and her friend, remaking the world.
"We will respect the curfew, it is preferable, we do not want to take a fine", she pledged.
In the shopping street of Caumartin, Monday and Tuesday evening when there are not many people left ./LP/Olivier Arandel
Fnac, which usually closes its shelves at 8:30 p.m., this time pulled back the curtain at 8 p.m.
More clients who, like Ali, a computer student, took the opportunity on Monday to afford a… computer.
Tanguy, 23, walks past at lightning speed on his skateboard.
"I could have gone home earlier, but I allow myself half an hour of skateboarding," he confesses.
Paris, Saint-Lazare / Haussmann district. Monday December 14, 2020 Report the day before the curfew in Paris France is declining, the curfew comes into force on Tuesday December 15, 2020 Shortly after 8 p.m. on Monday December 14 in front of Fnac Saint- Lazarus
The surroundings of Fnac Saint-Lazare, Monday and Tuesday shortly after 8 p.m.
/ LP / Olivier Arandel
At 8:20 pm, the (pedestrian) street of Caumartin, rich in shops opening late, plunges into silence.
The ball of customers with gifts under their arms is over.
"In recent days, it was shielded, there, there is nobody", compares Laura, 24 years old, beautician.
In front of a brewery that has opted for take-out, three friends finish drinking their beer in the cold at 8:25 pm.
"We did not see the time pass", apologizes one of them.
"Well, if I am fined, too bad for me, it will be my civic gesture", he smiles.
“Don't worry, there is always tolerance on the first night.
And anyway, they do not have the manpower to control, “reassures his friend of illegal aperitif.