"We are there until Monday evening, to get a change of scenery and see other landscapes… We do not know for how long we will be locked up afterwards", advance Laurence and Loïc Rabeux.
Coming especially from the Cher, this couple and their two children took over their second home this Friday morning located not far from Royan, in Charente-Maritime.
Objective: to enjoy the good weather and, above all, their freedom of movement.
“We have not left since last summer, we need to breathe, they summarize.
We had to go to Nièvre as a family, but this department is already in the red zone… ”
Viviane and Olivier Viry have left Laval and Mayenne to visit the seaside resort of Royan for three days.
“This confinement, we hoped to escape it.
The idea was not to stay with us before it started again.
We hadn't taken a vacation for a long time.
Only one thing is missing: the terraces, ”they explain.
Good for local commerce
This sudden influx of secondary residents and tourists, in search of resorts for the Easter weekend, has not escaped the notice of local elected officials.
“To believe that the suitcases were already ready, ironically Claude Baudin, the mayor of Saint-Palais-sur-Mer.
A new clientele appeared the day after President Macron's announcements.
We can see it in the shops and are very happy to see them!
"
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Closure of schools, travel, teleworking… Our answers to your questions, faced with the new restrictions
Stéphane Villain, mayor of Châtelaillon-Plage, confirms: “Shutters have opened since the presidential announcements, they are not usually at this time of year.
For many, it's a last breath of fresh air.
"
Also president of Charentes Tourisme, an interdepartmental tourist office, Stéphane Villain recalls that there are 95,000 second homes in this department and extends his hand to all those who wish to confine themselves there: “As long as people respect the protocols sanitary facilities, they are welcome!
We have space and one of the lowest incidence rates in France.
And then we work hard all year to bring them, we are not going to treat them today as outcasts.
"
"A massive arrival" expected
Director of the Royannais tourist office, Élie De Foucauld also expects "a massive arrival of Ile-de-France residents and inhabitants of other metropolises".
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Confinement: "Going to celebrate Easter is not a derogatory reason", warns the government
To the point of having taken a radical decision: “We will be opening over the next few weeks 14 of our 17 tourist information offices located on the coast to guide these visitors.
These reception points provide a public service, they are essential and make it possible to regulate flows.
If people are lost, you block everything.
"
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On the Grande Conche de Royan, Maullaury and his companion Julien fully intend to take advantage of this sunny weekend.
Installed in Deux-Sèvres, they agree with their children a few days of respite before confinement: "Work and home, it's going well for five minutes ..."