There are bottles of sanitizer gel in place of the salt and pepper pots, and glaring 1-meter (3-foot) gaps between tables.
But in Parisian restaurants and cafes, the mood is sunny.
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There are bottles of sanitizer gel in place of the salt and pepper pots, and glaring 1-meter (3-foot) gaps between tables.
It’s a far cry from the depressing sight of shuttered eateries, chairs piled up blocking the windows and doors, and empty sidewalks. Menus collected dust in windows as Parisians stayed home, sucking the lifeblood from the cafes that epitomize the city's lifestyle.
But sidewalk dining, sipping and people-watching is such an inherent part of the Paris way of life that the partial reopening was enthusiastically embraced. Outside cafe areas filled up fast.
“The reopening of cafes, hotels and restaurants marks the return of happy days!” he tweeted.
Cafe employee, Djibril, cleans the window of a closed cafe as they prepare to reopen, in Paris, Monday, June 1, 2020. Local Parisians are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank's famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais for the first time in almost three months. As virus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen.(AP PhotoThibault Camus)
Marks are seen under stools to respect social distancing at a cafe in Lille, northern France, Tuesday June 2, 2020. (AP PhotoMichel Spingler)
A cafe employee carries chairs as he sets up a terrace, in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Local Parisians are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank's famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais for the first time in almost three months. As virus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)
A waitress carries menus and hand sanitizer at a seafood restaurant in Marseille, southern France, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. The French way of life resumes Tuesday with most virus-related restrictions easing as the country prepares for the summer holiday season amid the pandemic. (AP PhotoDaniel Cole)
Women sit on the terrace of a cafe in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Parisians who have been cooped up for months with take-out food and coffee will be able from Tuesday to savor their steaks tartare in the fresh air and cobbled streets of the City of Light once more -- albeit in smaller numbers. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)
People sit on the Cafe de Flore terrace in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Local Parisians are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank's famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais for the first time in almost three months. As virus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
People sit on the Cafe de Flore terrace in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Local Parisians are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank's famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais for the first time in almost three months. As virus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
People sit on the Cafe de Flore terrace in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Local Parisians are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank's famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais for the first time in almost three months. As virus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
People sit on the terrace of a cafe in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Parisians who have been cooped up for months with take-out food and coffee will be able to savor their steaks tartare in the fresh air and cobbled streets of the City of Light once more, albeit in smaller numbers. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
People sit on the terrace of a cafe in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Parisians who have been cooped up for months with take-out food and coffee will be able to savor their steaks tartare in the fresh air and cobbled streets of the City of Light once more, albeit in smaller numbers. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
Diners apply hand sanitizer provided by staff at a seafood restaurant in Marseille, southern France, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. The French way of life resumes Tuesday with most virus-related restrictions easing as the country prepares for the summer holiday season amid the pandemic. (AP PhotoDaniel Cole)
A waitress wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus carries out a plate of fish to serve at a seafood restaurant in Marseille, southern France, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. The French way of life resumes Tuesday with most virus-related restrictions easing as the country prepares for the summer holiday season amid the pandemic. (AP PhotoDaniel Cole)
A bartender brings drinks to customers at a cafe in Saint Jean de Luz, southwestern France, Tuesday June 2, 2020. (AP PhotoBob Edme)
People sit on the terrace of a cafe in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Paris City Hall authorized the reopening of outside seating areas but indoor tables remain closed to customers until at least June 22. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)
People sit on the terrace of a cafe in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Paris City Hall authorized the reopening of outside seating areas but indoor tables remain closed to customers until at least June 22. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)
People drink cocktails on a terrace in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Paris City Hall authorized the reopening of outside seating areas but indoor tables remain closed to customers until at least June 22. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)
Locals are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank’s famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais, for the first time in almost three months.
A man cleans the terrace of a restaurant in Paris, Monday, June 1, 2020, as France gradually lifts its Covid-19 lockdown. Local Parisians are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank's famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais for the first time in almost three months. As virus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
It’s a far cry from the depressing sight of shuttered eateries, chairs piled up blocking the windows and doors, and empty sidewalks. Menus collected dust in windows as Parisians stayed home, sucking the lifeblood from the cafes that epitomize the city's lifestyle.
Gone was the morning ritual of stopping by the corner cafe for a shot of espresso, the midday three-course meal, the after-work aperitif with friends or lovers at an intimate bistro.
As coronavirus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen. In Paris, hard hit by COVID-19, only outdoor seating is allowed for now. Indoor tables remain closed to customers until at least June 22.
People walk past a closed cafe where chairs and tables are stacked up, in Paris, Monday, June 1, 2020. Local Parisians are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank's famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais for the first time in almost three months. As virus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)
But sidewalk dining, sipping and people-watching is such an inherent part of the Paris way of life that the partial reopening was enthusiastically embraced. Outside cafe areas filled up fast.
Although masks are not obligatory for seated guests, the Parisians’ beloved pastime of smoking seems to have fallen away. Far fewer smokers have been observed so far on the newly reopened terraces.
French President Emmanuel Macron struck a note of optimism about the small step.
Cafe employee, Djibril, cleans the front window of a closed cafe, in Paris, Monday, June 1, 2020 as they prepare to reopen. Parisians who have been cooped up for months with take-out food and coffee will from Tuesday be able to savor their steak tartare in the fresh air and cobbled streets of the City of Light once more -- albeit in smaller numbers. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)
“The reopening of cafes, hotels and restaurants marks the return of happy days!” he tweeted.
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak
Pierre-Antoine Boureau handles a tape measure as he prepares the terrace of a restaurant in order to respect social distancing to help curb the spread of the coronavirus in Paris, Monday, June 1, 2020. (AP PhotoMichel Euler)
Cafe employee, Djibril, cleans the window of a closed cafe as they prepare to reopen, in Paris, Monday, June 1, 2020. Local Parisians are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank's famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais for the first time in almost three months. As virus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen.(AP PhotoThibault Camus)
Marks are seen under stools to respect social distancing at a cafe in Lille, northern France, Tuesday June 2, 2020. (AP PhotoMichel Spingler)
A cafe employee carries chairs as he sets up a terrace, in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Local Parisians are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank's famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais for the first time in almost three months. As virus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)
A waitress carries menus and hand sanitizer at a seafood restaurant in Marseille, southern France, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. The French way of life resumes Tuesday with most virus-related restrictions easing as the country prepares for the summer holiday season amid the pandemic. (AP PhotoDaniel Cole)
Women sit on the terrace of a cafe in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Parisians who have been cooped up for months with take-out food and coffee will be able from Tuesday to savor their steaks tartare in the fresh air and cobbled streets of the City of Light once more -- albeit in smaller numbers. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)
People sit on the Cafe de Flore terrace in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Local Parisians are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank's famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais for the first time in almost three months. As virus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
People sit on the Cafe de Flore terrace in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Local Parisians are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank's famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais for the first time in almost three months. As virus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
People sit on the Cafe de Flore terrace in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Local Parisians are savoring their cafe au lait and croissants at the Left Bank's famed Cafe de Flore, or on the cobbled streets of the ancient Le Marais for the first time in almost three months. As virus confinement measures were relaxed Tuesday, cafes around France were allowed to reopen. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
People sit on the terrace of a cafe in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Parisians who have been cooped up for months with take-out food and coffee will be able to savor their steaks tartare in the fresh air and cobbled streets of the City of Light once more, albeit in smaller numbers. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
People sit on the terrace of a cafe in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Parisians who have been cooped up for months with take-out food and coffee will be able to savor their steaks tartare in the fresh air and cobbled streets of the City of Light once more, albeit in smaller numbers. (AP PhotoChristophe Ena)
Diners apply hand sanitizer provided by staff at a seafood restaurant in Marseille, southern France, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. The French way of life resumes Tuesday with most virus-related restrictions easing as the country prepares for the summer holiday season amid the pandemic. (AP PhotoDaniel Cole)
A waitress wearing a face mask to protect against coronavirus carries out a plate of fish to serve at a seafood restaurant in Marseille, southern France, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. The French way of life resumes Tuesday with most virus-related restrictions easing as the country prepares for the summer holiday season amid the pandemic. (AP PhotoDaniel Cole)
A bartender brings drinks to customers at a cafe in Saint Jean de Luz, southwestern France, Tuesday June 2, 2020. (AP PhotoBob Edme)
People sit on the terrace of a cafe in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Paris City Hall authorized the reopening of outside seating areas but indoor tables remain closed to customers until at least June 22. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)
People sit on the terrace of a cafe in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Paris City Hall authorized the reopening of outside seating areas but indoor tables remain closed to customers until at least June 22. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)
People drink cocktails on a terrace in Paris, Tuesday, June 2, 2020. Paris City Hall authorized the reopening of outside seating areas but indoor tables remain closed to customers until at least June 22. (AP PhotoThibault Camus)