“Enjoy life, now and every moment! Jean-Jacques, 75, sniffs the Parisian air on this Wednesday morning when the terraces reopen, at the Comptoir Brochant, three meters from the metro of the same name. The business manager, white mask lowered over his chin, enjoys a coffee, a few meters from the French Federation of Bodywork where he has responsibilities. “In general, I don't go to the bistro too much, I don't have that culture too much,” he admits. He made a sprain, like a lot of Parisians crossed in the Batignolles district (Paris XVII) where we chose to spend the day with our noses outside.
"It comes back to life, it's extraordinary," breathes the business manager who lives in Saint-Maixent-l'École, in Deux-Sèvres.
We have already seen it this weekend, with record traffic jams.
It feels good, while we felt a screed of lead.
"
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Two streets away, the Palermo rather attracts a clientele of regulars.
“We opened at 7 am and we had our first customer at 7:05 am, Aïcha slips, smile and good humor unalterable.
We were doing take-out, but it was still seven months since we had not served on site.
I already have a pain in my arm!
We feel that the customers are happy, they take pictures… ”
"The terrace is what makes Paris so charming"
This is the case of Jade, Sophie and Léonore, a group of thirty-something in sportswear who immortalizes their coffee and their croissant with a lot of self-mockery.
“It makes us laugh to do that, because it's a bit of the Parisian cliché,” smiles Jade, who grew up in the provinces.
In itself, having a coffee is not essential, but we need lightness.
The three of us met several years ago when we were pregnant.
Now, on Wednesdays, we drop our children off at school and then we go for a run and have coffee together.
Soon, we will also resume our restaurant evenings in the neighborhood.
"
“The best news of the day is perhaps even the curfew which passes at 9 pm, fits his friend Sophie.
We feel a little oppressed, having to do the shopping, come home early, plan everything with the children.
We are really happy.
"
A little further, Mélanie, a young blonde woman of 36, is also perfectly in line with the codes of the district: computer open on the table, cigarette and squeezed orange juice. And a very broad smile for a ritual brought up to date: “I have been telecommuting since March 2020 and I spent the whole summer here, at least in the morning or in the afternoon. I have a nice apartment, with a balcony, but it's good to see people. A colleague will join me this afternoon for lunch, another called me and did the same in Montorgueil. The terrace is what makes Paris so charming. "
The one who works in digital advertising and envies her American colleagues who have dropped the mask admits "going out a lot" and is preparing to find the ingredients that made her choose this district of the 17th arrondissement: "I have a professional call tonight, so I may not be on the terrace for the aperitif, but I intend to do so in the next few days. You might have to start early to find space, but it shouldn't be superhuman! Next week I'm on vacation and will be going to the museum. For the cinema, the most difficult will be to choose with all the films that come out ... In recent months, I have been running the small businesses that make the identity of Batignolles. If now we can also help restaurants and cafes, that's cool! "