An "oasis party" for those exhausted by the gloom of the restrictions imposed in their country

European tourists in Madrid: "it is heaven"

Many French travelers arrive in Madrid to live a measure of freedom.

Archives

It took Julie only an hour and 15 minutes to reach what she considered "heaven."

It's how long it took for a flight to fly from her hometown of Toulouse, southwestern France, to the Spanish capital, Madrid.

"We can finally live here already, and feel happy ... it is paradise," the 23-year-old says as she sits in a café in the Chambéry area of ​​Madrid, with a broad smile. .

These days, one can see and hear the same thing from other people like them, and this is not only in Chambéry, but almost everywhere in Madrid, as the Europeans who have been exhausted by the outbreak of the Corona pandemic, and the consequent imposition of lockdown measures to combat the outbreak of the virus Newcomers - among them many French travelers, such as students Julie and Anne - are heading to Madrid by the thousands, to escape the gloom of restrictions imposed within their own countries.

While there may be some degree of lockdown in Paris and Toulouse, and almost everywhere in Europe, restaurants and bars in Madrid are permitted to open their doors, in addition to cinemas, museums, and other entertainment facilities.

The Spanish newspaper, El Pais, recently wrote that Madrid had become a "party destination", and that it had become "an island in the sea of ​​the closure restrictions imposed in European capitals."

The French are the citizens most attracted by these temptations, mainly.

Central Madrid welcomes them with open arms, especially after all the restaurants there depend on tourists from the neighboring country, in particular, at such times.

"The French currently make up half of our income," says Jose, a waiter who works in the "Plaza Mayor" (or the Grand Square) in Madrid, which is one of the most important tourist places in Spain and the largest in the country.

It is noteworthy that Madrid had witnessed the arrival of more than 117 thousand French tourists last January, and no more than about 51 thousand German tourists, and 23 thousand British tourists, according to the estimates of the National Institute of Statistics.

Lots of friends organize group excursions together, for as little as 150 euros.

However, this trend carries with it great risks, as Madrid police reported that 442 of the parties held illegally were dispersed at the weekend, which is a record number.

The French who head to Madrid are not only looking for an open space, but also seeking social contact with others.

Soon, Anne and Jolie began chatting with the Spaniards at the table next to them, and with the waitress and musicians performing their pieces on the streets.

On the other hand, another tourist, Adrian - who arrived in Madrid with three of his friends by car - complains about the conditions he faces in his country, where he says: “One must definitely pay attention to this dreaded virus, but one cannot live. Without social communication ».

It is noteworthy that the citizens of France had, for months, to endure the difficulty of their resistance, by sitting in an open-air cafe in the French streets.

However, young people in particular are keen to spend a night in the city, as nearly a third of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 said it was one of the things they missed most, according to a poll prepared in February.

In fact, there is also a great desire on the part of the French to get to know the country's culture.

Theaters, museums and theaters have also been closed since late October, and more than 70% of citizens want to reopen them.

Tightening restrictions

While France imposes a curfew from 6 pm, in Madrid you do not have to return home until 11 pm.

Discussions are taking place in other places to extend and tighten the imposed restrictions. In Madrid, they are currently considering lifting the night-time curfew.

With 120 new infections per 100,000 citizens recorded every seven days, Madrid is in fact worse off than any of the 17 Spanish autonomous communities.

There is a great desire on the part of the French to get to know the country's culture.

Madrid has become an island in the sea of ​​the closure restrictions imposed in European capitals.

Follow our latest local and sports news, and the latest political and economic developments via Google news