A sun slightly warming a sea with turquoise reflections, a delicate lapping of waves, children's laughter, a sweet scent of salt and sunscreen ... On this Ascension 2021 bridge, the beaches have rediscovered a flavor of yesteryear, when the Covid-19 did not exist.
After several weeks of confinement, health restrictions seem far away and a wind of freedom is blowing over metropolitan France, which is enjoying its first long long weekend.
Read also: Ascension, Pentecost, summer vacation: the French in the starting blocks
While last season no trip was possible, the French took the opportunity this time to escape more than ten kilometers from home.
"
We needed a change of scenery, to find each other,
" says Laure, accompanied by her father and her two children playing on the still wet sand.
Retired, Philippe is delighted to be able to see his grandchildren again "
and to share moments with them
".
From the top of her five years, Lila devours a chocolate ice cream under the envious eyes of her little brother Leo.
Simple joys that have become unusual for this family which had not had the opportunity to meet again this year until then.
Thirst for freedom
Laure and Philippe are not the only ones to have joined the coast to "
get some fresh air
".
The number of accommodation reservations on the PAPVacances.fr site has thus jumped by 25.7% compared to the end of 2019. The other reservation sites and lodgings in France are also almost full.
Among the most popular destinations are Normandy, Var and Charente-Maritime.
In the Bouches-du-Rhône, tourists are at the rendezvous, attracted by the good weather and the freedom offered by the coast.
It does not replace the terraces but we are good anyway
Alexandra and Wassine, a couple from Marseilles
“
Here, you can walk around without a mask, eat by the water
”. Alexandra and Wassine have swapped the sweaters for the floral dress, the T-shirt and the brightly colored shorts. Installed on the edge of the Catalans beach, they enjoy a salad interspersed with sips of rosé. "
It does not replace the terraces, but we are good all the same, it feels good to breathe
". If moonlight aperitifs are still impossible because of the curfew maintained at 7 pm, the couple in their thirties "
arranges otherwise
". Dine with some or others, getaways outside of Marseille: "
we taste at liberty
", slips Wassine. “
Even if it will never come back as before
, says Alexandra.
The Covid has changed our lives, we are paying attention now, especially when going to see parents and the elderly ”.
With an incidence rate of 260 new contaminations per 100,000 inhabitants, the department remains the most affected in the region. But health concerns seem to be suspended, just for the weekend.
A few meters further on, in the old Port, an aroma of grilled meat, golden fries and marinated mussels escapes from the trays held casually by the tourists seated ... on the floor.
"
It does not matter, we enjoy it anyway
", delights Henri.
Coming from Lyon with his wife Chantal, he hopes to "
have a good time
".
After six weeks confined to their little house, the travel-loving couple is delighted to be able to stroll and meander again on the winding roads of the region.
They are only in Marseille for one day, tomorrow they will be hiking in the Massif de l'Étoile.
Many Marseillais and tourists take advantage of the lunch break to enjoy the sun in the old port.
MLM / Le Figaro
Read also: Traders are busy for the reopening
Relieved but impatient traders
Like many Parisians tired of teleworking in cramped apartments, Margot took the train on Tuesday from Paris, towards Marseille-Saint-Charles station.
With eight of her friends, they came to celebrate her birthday and "
enjoy the sun and the good weather
".
On the program: beach, walks and ice cream ... "
But no restaurants
", she regrets.
Indeed, only the terraces will be able to reopen on May 19, with an imposed gauge of 50%.
Indoor theaters and the Ferris wheel will have to wait until June 9.
Many restaurants have therefore preferred to keep the kitchens closed.
Many restaurants remain closed and do not offer take-out.
MLM / Le Figaro
We are very happy, even relieved
A manager of an ice cream parlor in Marseille
“
Wait, always wait
”, such is the slogan of this restaurateur on the edge of Prado beach.
But he refuses to mope and puts everything on take-out.
"
The arrival of the first tourists and the good weather allow the season to start
."
Ice cream parlors are also a delight for Parisians, Lyonnais and Lille residents who come for the weekend.
The colorful balls topped with whipped cream follow one another for this couple who own a small shack on the edge of the beach.
“
We are very happy, even relieved,”
testifies the manager.
It gives us a taste of summer
". A few more weeks of waiting before the massive arrival of summer visitors who will finally be able to sit down on the tables in Marseille and thus escape the monotony of this year with the bitter taste of a pandemic.