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Welcome to Mumsnet's holiday forum. Discuss all international travel here, including both shorthaul and longhaul trips. Related topics: UK holidays & day trips, skiing, camping & campervans.
Holidays
Does anyone know what Paris is like right now - Covid-19/lockdown
WhereAreWeNow · 17/07/2020 18:15
We're wondering about going to Paris for a couple of days in August but I'm wondering if it might feel a bit weird. London feels a bit weird TBH.
Just wondering if it's emptier than usual? Are cafes and restaurants open? Is everyone wearing masks?
TIA
Chuly · 17/07/2020 18:20
I should be there right now . Shielding sucks.
Sorry, not much help I know. I did read somewhere that apart from shop staff, waiting staff etc all masked up, things are pretty normal, but not sure if that's true.
chocolatviennois · 18/07/2020 12:53
Don’t know but probably a good time to go as the Parisians will be at their second homes or on holiday and don’t expect long haul tourists will have been able to come. I would not be worried about Eurostar but would aim to walk once there and keep metro use to the minimum. Expect there will be stringent rules for museums.
Pippin2028 · 18/07/2020 13:12
They have reopened the museums, restaurants, shops. You just need a mask everywhere and restaurants have social distancing measures in place but i would say to go for it. And many places also give you hand sanitizer at the door.
WhereAreWeNow · 18/07/2020 17:49
Thanks. I was thinking of staying walking distance from Gare du Nord to avoid the metro. Maybe we should just go for it.
endofthelinefinally · 18/07/2020 17:55
Everything is going back to normal.
Streets and parks are crowded.
Pick pockets are more aggressive as there are fewer tourists.
You have to wear a mask.
endofthelinefinally · 18/07/2020 17:56
My DC is there atm and says social distancing isn't happening.
lekkerkroketje · 18/07/2020 17:56
Lovely. Very hot. Not many tourists apart from domestic and immediate neighbours so it's beautifully quiet. Everything's pretty chilled and normal.
Don't stay by GdN, you'll get stabbed. Metro is fine, just wear a mask and avoid rush hour. Most things are open, but you need to book museums etc in advance. If you're worried about public transport, get a Velib or scooter subscription and try out all our new cycle lanes (but maybe bring a helmet!)
However, I don't have a British accent. I don't know how you'll be treated as a British tourist.
Pippin2028 · 19/07/2020 10:41
I'm here at the moment and it's all fine, shops and restaurants are glad to have people in although some of the busier districts are limiting how many people can go in at a time but if you want a break, I'd say to come over. But Gare Du Nord is not the best place to stay, very very dodgy at night.
Aragog · 19/07/2020 16:01
I left Paris about 2 hours ago. We were there for about 24 hours. Dd was there a day longer.
The rules on masks is getting a bit stricter from tomorrow where you then will have to wear them in all enclosed indoor places such as shops, museums, etc.
You need masks in trains and public transport, plus taxis - though most have a Perspex shielding too now.
When walking about into a restaurant you have to wear a mask, or heading inside to the toilet too. But don't have to wear them sat at the table.
You don't need to wear them when outside walking around either.
Social distancing is 1m. Means cafe and restaurants tables seem much closer together than at home. But we never felt on top of one another at all.
Hotels etc feel spotlessly clean.
There are hand sanitizers everywhere. There are even automatic ones in the streets and attached to bus stops, as well as in restaurants, shops, train stations, etc
To be honest Paris felt very much business as usual in some ways
Chuly · 19/07/2020 16:12
@WhereAreWeNow
Ahh thank you @WhereAreWeNow.
Yes we should have been there for the finish of the Tour de France today. But I don't feel too bad seeing as the whole thing was cancelled, would have been crap watching it on telly at home (I'm nothing if not a self centred fecker
). Having said that, I hope you get there and have a lovely time.
WhereAreWeNow · 20/07/2020 10:39
@endofthelinefinally
Streets and parks are crowded.
Pick pockets are more aggressive as there are fewer tourists.
You have to wear a mask.
Eek! This does not sound like a restful break!
endofthelinefinally · 20/07/2020 14:58
DC works there so not visiting tourist attractions. Maybe they are a bit quieter.
beggsie · 21/07/2020 10:16
Hi. My DD and I are thinking of heading over on the Eurostar for a couple of days in early August but I've just seen reports of an increase in cases over the last few days. Is this a real worry re another lockdown? Just trying to work out if it's a good idea to come (although Paris is always a good idea!). Thanks!
Aragog · 21/07/2020 11:20
Eek! This does not sound like a restful break!
We didn't have any issues this weekend and neither did 18y dd and her boyfriend.
There were a lot of people around, as you'd expect from a city, but we were never crowded and could always maintain a good social distance.
We encountered no issues with aggressiveness, pick pockets or others.
We wore masks indoors but not outdoors. Didn't need to wear them when sat at a table in restaurants and cafes.
AvonCallingBarksdale · 11/08/2020 09:12
We’ve just left Paris - spent a very hot 4 days there. Our teens loved it - hits were hiring Velibs, Eiffel Tower evening trip, Pompidou Centre and Atelier des Lumières. We stayed in an airbnb in Le Marais.
justanotherneighinparadise · 11/08/2020 09:17
Paris has always had an issue with pick pockets. I was there as a teenager in the 90’s and it felt pretty stressful then if I’m honest so just make sure you keep you’re valuables in a discreet place. We used to wear bumbags, I’ve no idea what the current modus operandi is now. Probably something a bit more trendy ðŸ¤
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