With a dash of relief, I’ve learned my cheap ticket to Paris for October remains valid, that United hasn’t deemed it necessary to cancel the trip — yet. Booked in early April, when the pandemic was mustering its full fury, the flight still does seem doomed, even four months away. The virus isn’t letting us off that easy.
Hitches abound. Like the new edict by the European Union barring American visitors to the Continent. That’s a nifty start. Perhaps that will change by fall, if a particularly reckless, infantile and hysterically pathological world leader decides to do his job and quit frothing at the mouth.
But what will Paris be like in four months? The city is gingerly reopening, taking wise baby steps. Cultural crown jewel the Louvre opens Monday with Covid guidelines and protocols. Only 70 percent of the museum will be accessible — most of the popular stuff — and masks will be mandatory for visitors aged 11 and up.
I’ve done the Mona Lisa to death, but for those who must, it will go like this, says a Louvre director: “Until now, people would crowd around the Mona Lisa. Now, visitors will stand in one of two lines for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then each person is guaranteed a chance to stand in front of the Mona Lisa and look at her from a distance of about 10 feet.”
I’ll politely pass.
The magnificent Musée d’Orsay opens July 23. Musée Picasso, a personal essential, opened June 22, as did Musée de l’Orangerie and citywide cinemas (I always see three or four classic movies when in Paris). Centre Pompidou opened three days ago, and the ghoulish Catacombs have been open since mid-June. Showing through January 2021 at Musée Jacquemart-André is “Turner: Paintings and Watercolours from the Tate” — nirvana.
That’s a tantalizing start. Or is it foolhardy, madness?
Parks and gardens are open, as are many shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. But that also signals a behavioral slalom course of masks, social distancing, crowd control, etc. Right now, I wouldn’t hazard it, even in my favorite city. Now isn’t the time to be there. Four months, fingers crossed.
This incorrigible planner has had a fully refundable hotel reservation since spring — Hôtel Jeanne d’Arc Le Marais, which has reopened — and slavering beads on at least three restaurants, including the peerless Frenchie and Michelin-star Le Chateaubriand.
At six days and six nights, this is a short jaunt to Paris for me. If it happens. I have no doubt the pandemic could dash my plans, and that’s OK, because I’ve resigned myself to things not working out. In these epochal times, far more important things jut into high relief, the pandemic to the November election.
We’ll always have Paris, sure. It’s just a matter of when.
Whenever. Whatever.
GNASHING. 
We were at the Musee d’Orsay and I was in a small room alone and turned around and there was Whistler’s Mother. It’s a fairly large painting.
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Yes! I’ve seen it many times, and it is surprisingly large and striking. A neat experience in a museum filled with them.
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Some museums are slowly starting to reopen in London, but it will be at least September until most of them are, and I just can’t see myself getting on public transport for something frivolous any time soon anyway, even though Boris seems to want us to (the idiot). I do think it’ll be interesting to see if anything changes with travel in the coming months – I could technically travel to the Continent now if I wanted, but it doesn’t feel safe yet, and if many places still aren’t open, what’s the point?
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That’s my big worry, that nothing will be open, so why even bother? I really don’t think Europe will be ready to accommodate lots of tourists in any meaningful way by fall, so I think I’m kinda screwed. How’s Ohio in the fall? ; )
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Getting on a flight now seems risky yet I am preparing to book one once our airlines open up. Life still has to go on afterall.
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I hope it works out for you, safe and sound. So excited just reading about your plans. 🥰
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Thank you, Shruba! I hope it works out too, but I just don’t think the world will be ready yet by October, which is tragic all around. And thanks for stopping by!
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Did you ever get back to Paris Chris?
I was there just the once, for a week in 2016 and fell in love with the place. I vowed to go back but this fiasco called the pandemic has put paid to my plans.
I am beginning to wonder, now that they say that the vaccines may not prevent transmission of the virus and may not protect against certain new strains, if the “new normal” is here to stay and overseas travel will be for the rich and the privileged only. If so I guess I should make the most of touring around New Zealand.
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I never did get to Paris, alas. I’ve been many times, so I can’t really complain. Maybe the fall? I sure hope the “new normal” doesn’t stick. I live for travel, it’s a lifeblood, but this little break from it could be healthy, making the heart grow fonder. I just read that NZ is encouraging its people to tour their own country. That doesn’t sound so bad, as I hear it’s flat-out gorgeous. Someday I will make it there, too. Thanks for your thoughtful comments!
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