Paris: Deconfined and Sans Touristes

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On March 17, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the residents of Paris were plunged into total confinement, allowed to leave the house only for necessities but restricted to a 1 km radius and a time limit. The slow process of deconfinement began on May 11. Rules and expectations have constantly evolved since then, and even someone attentively following along would have a hard time keeping up with the latest developments.

Like most Parisians, I rushed out of my small apartment as soon as I could, ready for freedom and direct sunlight. This summer, I’ve been spending a lot of time outdoors, hoping to never be subjected to lockdown again. It’s a strange new world out there, with an extreme lack of tourists, and I’ve attempted to capture a bit of this period in photos.

All of these photos were taken in Paris between May 11 and August 12.

Reclaiming Freedom

young people lined up, sitting all along Canal Saint Martin on a sunny day — May 15—Canal Saint-Martin: Flocking outside just days after being released from confinement

people playing pétanque outdoors — May 15—Playing pétanque (the French version of bocce)

people gathering outside of a bar in the street during Covid — June 2—A view from my window: What is social distancing?

Navigating New Rules and New Systems

patrons ordering food outside of restaurant in Paris — May 23—Some restaurants and bars reopened, but didn’t allow customers in, blocking the doorways with tables and chairs

outdoor seating on the sidewalks of Paris during Covid — June 3—Taking over the sidewalks

outdoor seating at Paris restaurants in the streets of Paris — June 16—Taking over the streets; Paris relaxed rules and allowed restaurants and bars to expand their outdoor seating

sign saying store is closed for the month of August in Paris — August 3—Masks are obligatory indoors

mask on statue at Palais de Chaillot — August 3—Masks are obligatory indoors

QR code on table to access restaurant menu — August 6—QR Codes on tables, starting to replace paper menus

every other fitting room blocked off with tape in a clothing store — August 6—Clothing stores either no longer allow customers to try on clothes or have closed some of the fitting rooms

Getting Around

hand sanitizer container placed at a bus stop in Paris — June 1—Hand sanitizer distributor at a bus stop, probably empty

June 23—Underground subway
June 23—Waiting on the platform
June 23—Stand here
June 23—Don’t sit there

white circles on the ground to encourage spacing between people at the train station — June 28—Train station

white marking on the ground for spacing on the train quai — June 28—Train station

pedestrian walkways expanded into the street in Paris — July 15—Sidewalk expansion for the pedestrian flow

new bike lines created on Rue de Rivoli — July 22—Bike lane expansion on Rue de Rivoli

Running Errands

white lines on the ground for spacing and queue outside the post office — May 14—Waiting outside the post office

blue lines on the ground for spacing outside of a building in Paris — June 3—Lines for social distancing can be found outside many buildings

May 19—Markets with plastic protection
May 24—Bastille Market, gated to control the number of people
June 16—Is that plastic wrap?

June 16—Plastic sheets hanging in front of cashiers
August 12—Two months later, a more permanent barrier has been installed

Paris? Is That You?

two people sitting in long grass in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont — June 16—A less manicured Paris

only a few pedestrians on Rue de Rivoli in the middle of the afternoon — July 22—The busy Rue de Rivoli in the middle of the afternoon

July 22—An afternoon at the Louvre
July 22—No lines

empty seats at Église de Saint Germain des Prés — July 22—Église de Saint Germain des Prés

empty and spaced out chairs at Église Saint-Sulpice — July 22—Église Saint-Sulpice

outdoor restaurant seating in Paris with colorful flowers and blue umbrellas — August 7—Hand sanitizer at every table… for all the customers

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Paris: Deconfined and Sans Touristes

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2 thoughts on “Paris: Deconfined and Sans Touristes”

Mademoiselle Guiga
September 7, 2020 at 3:11 pm

I love going to Paris in August, it is so much quieter than usual as most of the Parisians are away… This year must have been even more empty with very little tourists and the Parisians enjoying the ‘déconfinement’ in the South or the French countryside! It might actually have been the quietest month of August Paris has ever had! Thanks for sharing your pictures and experience!
- EllenPost author
  September 10, 2020 at 9:50 am
  
  I agree! Paris in August can be awesome, but it’s definitely a weird feeling when you arrive in a touristy spot and find hardly anyone at all. This wasn’t your average summer in Paris!