Essonne: the only open shopping area, the White Cross taken by storm

To access the stores this Saturday, you had to be patient.

At the entrance to the Croix Blanche shopping area in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, the roundabouts are saturated.

Traffic is very difficult to reach the car park of your choice.

In France's third-largest retail park in terms of turnover, the vast majority of the 320 stores remain open.

Except the Leroy Merlin and But stores, which only authorize the withdrawal of orders from this Saturday.

Following the Prime Minister's announcements, shopping centers and non-food stores of more than 10,000 m2 had to close their doors on Friday evening.

Only the Croix Blanche, a commercial area which mainly allows travel outside the buildings, remains open.

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The municipal police force squares the area

To regulate the crowd, municipal police cars crisscross the area, taken by storm.

This Saturday, vigilance was stepped up in this area which hosts an average of 150,000 people every weekend.

The mayor (DVG) Frédéric Petitta, had anticipated.

"As soon as the first confinement was released, we imposed the wearing of a mask inside and outside the stores," said the elected official.

Layouts have been made on the ground for better regulation of pedestrian traffic.

Afterwards, I appeal to everyone's responsibility in this complicated situation.

"

Pedestrians pass each other at a good distance, but are sometimes found in large numbers at the entrance to the stores and in front of the food trucks.

“I come to do my shopping for the week and buy some clothes for the little one,” explains Ousama, 42, looking at his 8-year-old daughter.

I like to come here, it's less hassle than going to Paris.

I am from Arpajon, and I often come to buy electronics and furniture.

"

Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, Croix Blanche area, this Saturday.

It was necessary to be patient to hope to gain access to the stores.

LP / Bartolomé Simon  

"I didn't think there would be so many people"

Jean-Joseph, he regrets that the DIY stores near his home, in Lisses, have closed.

"With good weather, I do some small jobs on the balcony, I put planters here, a blind there," he explains.

So I come here for the Brico Dépôt.

I didn't think there would be so many people.

“The fifty-year-old regrets that the Leroy Merlin no longer welcomes customers to its shelves.

"Frankly, it's big, there is room for everyone, it's a shame," he said.

While waiting for her job interview in front of a ready-to-wear store, Céline, 22, enjoys the sun.

"It is normal that there are so many people, the weather is nice, and all that's left is open here for big shopping," notes this resident of Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois.

José, originally from Montlhéry, is nevertheless surprised by the closure of other shopping centers.

“The RERs and the subways are crowded, so I'm not sure that will change much…” On the first Saturday post-confinement, in May 2020, the Croix Blanche area had already experienced enormous crowds.