Calls to stay by the authorities because of the Covid-19 did not deter spectators. Thousands of people, especially young Ile-de-France residents and tourists, gathered in Paris on Tuesday evening to watch the fireworks on July 14, despite a very large security perimeter.
This year, the fireworks display of # 14 July shines for all these everyday heroes who worked during the confinement. # 14 July Ensemble #ConcertDeParis pic.twitter.com/PnFxgDUFJ7
- France 2 (@ France2tv) July 14, 2020"It's tradition"
The police headquarters had set up a large exclusion zone around the Eiffel Tower during the day, from which the fireworks were drawn, inviting Parisians to watch the show on television. But during the evening, thousands of people gathered along the Seine and on the Esplanade des Invalides in particular, to see the famous Parisian fireworks.
"We came because it's tradition, we do it every year," said Kenza, Léa and Johanna, three 19-year-old Parisian students. Perched on the top of a pillar of the railing of the Alexandre III bridge, which leads to the Invalides, and offers a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower, they say they have "not heard" of the prefecture's call. "We respect the distancing, we came less numerous than usual", pleads Léa, who like the vast majority of people gathered, does not wear a mask. "It's always better to be outdoors," she says.
The crowd until one in the morning
Idil, a 26-year-old Turkish woman who has lived in Paris for nine years, underlines "that we are coming out of confinement, the weather is therefore good to take advantage of it" all the more, she assures, "that I am young and in good health health, therefore not at risk ”. Still on deck, Ousmane, Bouba and Mamadou, 34, 20 and 21, savor their pleasure: these three young people from Guinean families came specially from Melun for the fireworks. "It feels good to see people, and it's always a great pleasure to come and celebrate National Day," said the first.
On the Esplanade des Invalides, Susan, a 48-year-old Dutch tourist, did not expect to see crowded lawns like the ones with the best view of the Eiffel Tower. "It's a lot of people, of risks, we're going to find a quieter place," she said, taking her children elsewhere. The crowd was to remain in the evening on the esplanade, before leaving it shortly before one in the morning under pressure from the police.
In most cities in France, the July 14 festivities have been reduced due to health restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. President Emmanuel Macron had warned during the day against an epidemic which "is starting again a little".
Paris
A national holiday under high health protection in the capital
Society
Without the July 14 festivities, the pyrotechnicians aspire to a late season
- July 14th
- Covid 19
- Eiffel Tower
- Coronavirus
- Fireworks
- Paris