The metallic lace, pearly of a golden light, stands out against a limpid blue sky.
Elevators come and go, like cable cars.
A mountain chalet offers pancakes and waffles.
And on a chairlift, Santa Claus, in festive attire, invites children to the traditional souvenir photo.
Welcome to the "Eiffel Tower station" on the first floor of the monument, since December 11.
The cold and dry weather, favorable to the coming of families on vacation, delighted the Company of exploitation of the Eiffel Tower (SETE), one year after its imposed closure.
Read alsoIs Santa Claus really a lie?
At the start of the afternoon, the queue lengthens to pose with the most famous old bearded man on the planet. With his magnificent costume - cape and coat adorned with golden embroidery, white fur, large waxed black boots, wide leather belt - we hardly pay attention to his anti-Covid-19 fabric mask decorated with figurines ... his effigy. Most toddlers don't seem to be paying attention and lend themselves to play, posing standing or sitting next to them on the chairlift. A clever way to keep a little distance while avoiding picking up children on your knees.
Between two poses, Father Christmas, although in great demand, agrees to answer the
Figaro
.
“It's true that the Covid is changing the way we work.
I explain to children that the mask is to protect them, but few realize it.
Or they tell me it's very pretty!
I try to stay with everyone for a very short time.
But I make sure that they think of Christmas above all
”.
The queue is always full to meet Father Christmas at the Eiffel Tower on December 21, 2021. Bénédicte LUTAUD / Le Figaro
Tirelessly, the bearded man repeats the same sentences to the sometimes fierce, sometimes reckless children.
Have they been good this year?
Yes, he received their letter, and such and such a toy will be present under the tree.
“Don't forget the cookie, the carrots and the milk for my reindeer!”.
But, aware of the presence of a journalist, the old man suddenly says, without leaving his merry bonhomie:
"Ho, ho ho!
Don't forget to put your mask back on! ”
Which are carried out without flinching, delighted to have been able to approach the mythical character.
“Ho, ho ho!
Don't forget to put your mask back on!
"
Santa.
A masked Santa Claus?
Among parents, opinions are divided.
The father of Leo, four, is not shocked:
“Anyway, Santa Claus has always been a mysterious character.
That it is hidden behind a mask, that does not surprise me. "
But after having sent her children to pose with the heir of Saint Nicholas, a mother confides in us, a bit jaded:
“The fact that he is masked breaks the magic a little, but there is no choice.
The problem is, the little ones ask me how it's possible that Santa Claus could have the Covid.
For them, he's a magician!
".
“The little ones ask me how it's possible that Santa Claus could have the Covid.
For them, he's a magician!
"
Giulia and Tymeo's mother, on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.
In the capital, this year, several places offer to meet Santa Claus - whose famous gifts of ubiquity we obviously know.
In addition to the Eiffel Tower, outdoor Christmas markets welcome the legendary character.
But the old man also has his VIP box in several stores and malls.
In the absence of clear government measures, each seems to come to terms with its own rules ... while trying to reassure employees and customers.
Read also Covid-19: the fate of the Strasbourg Christmas market suspended from compliance with health rules
At the Grande Récré, we prefer to play the card of maximum caution:
"On store surfaces ranging from 700 to 1700 m², we did not want entertainment leading to groups of people with children
".
However, other stores and shopping centers in Paris have chosen not to deprive the offspring of their customers of the famous paunchy bearded man in the red suit.
Thus, at the Westfield Les Quatre temps forum in La Défense, one of the largest mall in Europe with 141,200 m2, Santa Claus awaits his fans for the traditional photo, a large white mask blending in with his beard.
Father Christmas visiting the Westfield Les quatre temps shopping center in La Défense.
DR / Le Figaro
This time, the parade to avoid climbing on his knees is different:
“We have set up armchairs around Santa Claus allowing young visitors to pose for the traditional photo;
these areas are disinfected between each visit, ”
explains Thibault Desmidt, director of Westfield les 4 Temps.
“Of course, Santa Claus has a health pass and wears a mask, and hydroalcoholic gel is available to everyone,” he
explains.
A little further, on the Christmas market in the forecourt of La Défense, outside, one of his twin brothers poses with two children.
This time he has taken off the mask, and a little girl is sitting on his lap.
Father Christmas, on the Christmas market in the forecourt of La Défense DR / Le Figaro
A more anticipated “covid” Christmas
This year, professionals in the sector have better anticipated the context of the health crisis, explains Serge Jolibois, artistic director of Sésame spectacles:
“This year, 80% of Christmas shows, parades and markets were in the open air”
.
And for Santa Claus, everything is planned:
“Before, we had simple armchairs for children to sit on their knees.
There, we invested in larger armchairs so that they could sit next to them.
We thought it was better than to impose the mask: in terms of disguise, it is not ideal.
We disinfect at each pass.
Our Santa Claus have gloves, but they always put on gel ”
.
Read also Why is Santa Claus the only man (or almost) to wear red?
On the other side of the Seine, on the right bank, the Galeries Lafayette and their 47,800m2 of sales area have also chosen to honor their best customer.
On the fifth floor, under the dome, Santa Claus sits on a red throne.
This time, no mask, although we are indoors.
A pirouette has been found: to strike a pose, the children sit at his feet, on pretty colored cubes.
"The rule is no child on Santa's lap - he's still old - but I allow them to remove the mask, otherwise it's ridiculous,"
says the photographer.
Father Christmas and his authentic beard, at Galeries Lafayette Bénédicte LUTAUD / Le Figaro
"It's much more tiring to work like this, because you have to dramatize things a lot more"
, confides Santa Claus, whose authentic white beard and blue eyes we can admire - no more doubt, it must be. the truth.
The old man doesn't say he's worried about his own health:
“I don't talk face-to-face with parents.
I talk to children keeping my distance.
But the role of Santa Claus is to have a positive attitude and to continue to transmit happiness! ”.
To see the smile of the little girl who leaves with her photo, the mission seems accomplished.