France, like most of Europe, saw an increase in coronavirus cases during the winter as new variants spread across the continent. Now, the number of cases appears to be stabilizing, partly thanks to the 6 pm curfew, but remains high. On Thursday, there were about 21,063 new cases and 360 deaths. As of Friday morning, France recorded almost 81,000 deaths from the virus.
But variations in case numbers have continued to increase opposition to restrictions on cultural life.
French bookstores led the attack, with a handful refusing to close when the blockade was ordered in October. Florence Kammermann, owner of the Autour d’un Livre store in Cannes, which remained open for several weeks despite the request, said in a telephone interview that the police visited her company four times and issued a fine. But she did not regret her decision, she said.
She completely opposed the National Rally party and its policies, she added, but supported Aliot in reopening museums. Many in France complained that the country’s blocking rules were illogical, she added, “but they don’t have the courage to do that.”
French cinemas also protested the forced closure. In December, several venues symbolically reopened their doors to allow actors and fans to enter their foyers, although after the action, they closed again.
Jean-François Chougnet, president of the Museum of Civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean in Marseille, said in a telephone interview that museum directors in France would gladly accept any conditions if they were allowed to reopen their doors. “Just tell us,” said Chougnet. “We are open to everything.”
On Monday, Roselyne Bachelot, France’s minister of culture, held a Zoom conference call with the leaders of several museums, including the Louvre, to discuss how they could safely reopen. She told participants that museums would be the first cultural spaces to reopen once the virus was under control, said Emma Lavigne, president of Palais de Tokyo, who was on the call.