Crowded terraces, tables covered with pints, large screens: the Parisians found Tuesday evening
"an atmosphere of supporters"
for the entry into contention of the Blues in the Euro against the Germans, a pleasure they had been deprived of for several months.
Live: Les Bleus win in Germany and launch their Euro perfectly
“We missed it! After playing the confinement game, it's a great pleasure, ”
enthuses pint in hand Steven Vong, a 27-year-old consultant.
“Tonight is a big step towards normal life,”
adds her friend Céline, who took out a blue jersey for the 1998 World Cup winner for the occasion. Seated at Café Oz on the Grands Boulevards, including the 105 indoor places were quickly taken by storm, Steven Vong is
"happy to be able to find an atmosphere of supporters"
.
A few meters from them, Christelle, Anthony and Benoît arrived at 6:00 p.m. to secure a prime seat: facing the giant screen. Tuesday evening, the Parisians have largely invested the terraces, as for a week and the curfew shifted to 23:00. The view of crowded terraces contrasts with the atmosphere of confinement. While waiting for the deadline of June 30 which must mark the end of the curfew and the gauges in bars and restaurants, their managers had to come to terms with the rules in force: 100% of the authorized tonnage on the terrace, 50% in the dining room. , with no more than 6 people per table and prohibition to consume standing.
Additional rule in Paris: the installation of television screens on the terrace was prohibited by the town hall.
While several restaurants and bars respect this ban, some have defied it.
"We went seven months without working anyway ..."
, justifies with a shrug of the shoulder the manager of a bar in the rue Montmartre.
"Curfew Reflex"
Subdued lights, giant screens oriented in all directions, Marseillaise sung in the heart throughout the bar: the atmosphere at Sullivan's at the start of the match makes you forget the pandemic. The masks have disappeared from the faces but the tables are spaced out and the abundant ventilation refreshes the place.
“We have the feeling of rediscovering the life before,”
says Sarah Baloush, 25-year-old management controller. With her friend, they came to
“share a friendly moment with strangers”
.
“It reminds me of the 2018 World Cup,”
smiles the young woman who wears Kylian Mbappé's number 10 jersey.
When German defender Mats Hummels scores his own in the 20th minute, the fans shout with joy as they jump from their chairs. The final whistle is scheduled for 10:50 p.m., ten minutes before curfew. If the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin asked
"the police to show particular leniency"
towards the supporters, any exemption from the curfew remains excluded. Festive gatherings are not authorized and "any behavior endangering the life of others must be particularly punished", warned the minister.
"Now there is the reflex of the curfew"
, laments Ridha, who does not intend to extend the evening in the event of victory for France.
“It's only the first game anyway. In France we do not celebrate the first game too much
,
”
explains Maxime Hervé, a student, finishing his portion of fries.
"We will celebrate from the quarters,"
adds Elodie Santejo, blue-white-red makeup required on the cheeks.