The great excitement this week has been déconfinement – the partial relaxing of lockdown. As of Monday 11 May in the green areas of France, (see my last post for explanation) we have been able to leave our homes without an attestation (permit), stay out for longer than an hour and travel up to 100 km from home. The forests have reopened to walk in, many people have gone back to work and primary schools have started up again.  It may be partial, but it feels like huge freedom after 8 weeks being confined.

déconfinement

However, the weather has not been kind! We’ve had torrential rain and thunderstorms. I can’t help thinking it’s nature’s way of making sure we don’t go out too much and have too much fun.  Look at the difference 24 hours of rain makes to the (normally dry) Miaine river in Roquefort les Pins.

river in Roquefort les Pins

My first outing was to see the sea. Even in grey drizzle it felt amazing to gaze at the horizon, smell the sea air and hear the sound of waves crashing on the shore, if a little eerie with access to the beach still closed, no traffic and practically nobody around.

déconfinement

An Important Letter arrived in our letterbox this week. It contained 2 masks (per household) and a newsletter all about “le covid-19″ (hee hee, see below).

déconfinement

In other news this week, l’Académie Française (the council for all matters pertaining to the French language) decreed that Covid-19 is feminine! For months now the virus has been referred to as le covid-19 but in their great wisdom l’Académie has decided that henceforth he will be she: la covid-19. Considering virus is masculine (le virus), it does seem a rather peculiar choice. How they make these decisions is baffling and no wonder us English speakers get genders wrong all the time!

déconfinement

Summer Travel in France after Déconfinement

Finally the government has announced that domestic travel within France will be allowed in July and August for residents of France. This is good news for the gîte, though many of our bookings are not from France so we are still left unsure of whether they’ll be able to come and stay. There was also no mention of June.  However, if you are in France and looking for a holiday in July and August, and even if our calendar says we are booked, please get in touch as things are changing on a daily basis and dates may become available.

 

Related Reading

It Never Rains in The South of France

Franglais, or Englishisms in French 

Reasons to Book a Self-Catering Gîte Holiday at Lou Messugo

PIN it for later!

end of lockdown

 

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