Anticipating large crowds and security checks that would complicate daily life during the Olympic Games, many Parisians decided to leave town, taking early holidays far from the capital. But today, seeing the positive ambiance and France's string of medals, some regret having left and are coming back.
Before the start of the Olympic Games, nearly half of those living in the Paris region said they were planning to leave during the month of August, according to an Ipsos poll for Trainline carried out in March.
People were worried about large crowds and overloaded public transport, concerned about security or the cost of tickets, and some were turned off by the cost of the event or the city's move to clear out homeless encampments before the games.
The security failings around the 2022 Champions League final, when fans crowded into tight spaces at the Stade de France were tear-gassed by police, did not inspire confidence in France's ability to run a smooth Olympics.
But some are now regretting their decision to leave or for not having sought out affordable tickets when they were available.
"I was about to boycott the Games," a woman named Coline told FranceInfo radio, before the Games' spectacular opening ceremony along the River Seine.
“I watched the opening ceremony and I loved being proud of France,” she added.
Spectacle of pride
Many have said that opening ceremony changed their mind, which had been influenced by media coverage in the run-up that warned that 15 million visitors to the capital would put strain on an already tight public transport system.
And yet, the metro and RER commuter rail systems have not been over-crowded.
The Paris-area public transport system saw an increase of 500,000 users in the first week of the Games, compared to previous years (4 million, compared to 3.5 million people).
General manager Laurent Probst told the French news agency AFP that this shows that Parisians have not fled the city. He also pointed to the reinforcements in the system, with more frequent trains on certain lines near stadiums, to make up for the extra users.
Easier to get around
Traffic caused by construction in the run-up to the Games has cleared up and Parisians are pleasantly surprised at how smooth it is to travel around the city.
“It’s almost easier to get around than before the Games. Before the [opening] ceremony everything was closed," said Victoire Allard a 20-year-old student told AFP from a fan zone in Paris, where she returned to, cutting short a holiday with family in Normandy.
Meanwhile Marie Heyraud, a project manager living in Paris, told France 24 she was glad she failed to rent out her flat during the Games.
"A lot of my friends left and now they regret it... it's really something you have to experience once in your life."
Those who have decided to come back to the city have found it difficult to find affordable tickets on the resale platform.
Fan zone mania
But the Games ambiance remains in fan zones around the city, which last week had already welcomed 400,000 people, according to Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor in charge of the Olympics and Paralymics.
In terms of attendance, Club France – the official hub for fans, athletes and journalists – has been full every day with an average attendance of more than 40,000 daily visitors and guests.
Situated at La Villette in north-eastern Paris, the venue has seen families line up to try their hand at different sports, get autographs from the French medal winners and watch the events on giant screens.
Parisians’ enthusiasm for the Games may well benefit the Paralympic games, to be held 28 August to 8 September, which have had trouble selling tickets.
