Letters From Lockdown: Life in France During the COVID-19 Pandemic

My very last international trip before the global pandemic hit churned with upheaval. I arrived in France in December of 2019 amidst rain storms and the start of the country’s largest transportation strike in three decades. With nearly all metro, bus and even air travel ceasing operations my grand plans of enjoying the city after a business trip ground to a halt.

Despite the disruptions to travel and blustery skies, my friend Lucie, a Paris local, swooped into the rescue, helping me find light in the darkness over live music and beef bourguignonne at Le François Felix. Two nights later Lucie and her partner François welcomed me to their apartment for a dinner party. Wine and conversation flowed over fondu and buche de noel filling me with such a warm feeling of belonging. Moments like this in harmony with friends and strangers are what I miss most about pre-pandemic life.

Life in France during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Since the start of the global pandemic, France’s handling of COVID-19 has made international headlines. The country has consistently ranked in the world’s top ten hotspots and has imposed several strict lockdowns. Travelers from the United States have been barred from visiting France as well as the rest of the European Union for nearly a year now and ski lifts remain closed throughout the country.
While COVID rates are falling around the world, they are unfortunately still on the rise in France, propelled by the UK variant. Strict curfews remain in place.

This Week We’re Talking To:
Lucie Merieux, France

Lucie Merieux is a marketing consultant and avid traveler who lives in Paris. We first met while working for a travel marketing agency in Los Angeles, connecting over our mutual deep love of exploring the world.  Read on for our letter from lockdown conversation to learn what life has been like in France during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Letters From Lockdown: Life in France During the COVID-19 Pandemic