Covid-19: subject to barrier gestures, Santa Clauses try to preserve the magic of the holidays<

The metallic lace, pearly with an ocher light, chisels a limpid blue sky. Elevators come and go, like gondolas. A mountain chalet offers pancakes and waffles. And on a chairlift, Father Christmas, in festive finery, invites children to the traditional souvenir photo. Welcome to the "Eiffel Tower station" set up on the first floor of the monument, since December 11th. The cold and dry weather, conducive to the arrival of families on vacation, delights the Société d'exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), a year after its imposed closure.

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At the start of the afternoon, the queue is getting longer to pose with the most famous bearded man on the planet. With his magnificent costume - cape and coat decorated with gold embroidery, white fur, large black waxed boots, wide leather belt -, we hardly pay attention to his anti-Covid-19 mask decorated with figurines... bearing his effigy . Most toddlers lend themselves to the game, posing standing or sitting next to him on the chairlift. A clever way to maintain a little distance by avoiding taking the children on their knees.

Between two poses, Santa Claus, although much in demand, agrees to answer Le Figaro. “It is true that the Covid changes the way of working. I explain to the children that the mask is to protect them, but few realize it. Or else they tell me that it is very pretty! I try to spend very little time with everyone. But I make sure that they think of Christmas above all”.

Tirelessly, the bearded man repeats to the children, sometimes fierce, sometimes reckless, the same sentences. Have they been good this year? Yes, he received their letter, and such a toy will be present under the tree. “Don't forget the cookie, carrots and milk for my reindeer!”. But, aware of the presence of a journalist, the old man suddenly launches, without leaving his joyful good nature: “Ho, ho ho! Don't forget to put your mask back on!" Which run without flinching, delighted to have been able to approach the mythical character.

A masked Santa Claus? Among parents, opinions are divided. Leo's father, four years old, is not shocked: “Anyway, Santa Claus has always been a mysterious character. That he is hidden behind a mask does not surprise me. But after having sent her brats to pose with the heir of Saint Nicolas, a mother confides to us, a bit blasé: “The fact that he is masked breaks the magic a little, but there is no choice. The problem is that the little ones ask me how it is possible that Santa Claus can have the Covid. For them, he is a magician!”.

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In the capital, this year, several places offer to meet Santa Claus - of which we know, of course, the famous gifts of ubiquity. In addition to the Eiffel Tower, outdoor Christmas markets welcome the legendary character. But the old man also has his VIP box in several stores and malls. In the absence of clear government measures, everyone seems to be dealing with their own rules... while trying to reassure employees and customers.

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At the Grande Récré, we prefer to play the card of maximum caution: “On store surfaces ranging from 700 to 1700 m², we did not want any animation resulting in a group of people with children”.

However, other Parisian stores and shopping centers have chosen not to deprive the offspring of their customers of the famous paunchy bearded man in a red suit. Thus, at the Westfield Les Quatre temps forum in La Défense, one of the largest malls in Europe with 141,200 m ² , Santa Claus awaits his fans for the traditional photo, a large white mask blending in with his beard.

This time, the parade to avoid climbing on his knees is different: “We have set up armchairs around Santa Claus allowing young visitors to pose for the traditional photo; these areas are disinfected between each passage”, explains Thibault Desmidt, director of Westfield les 4 Temps. “Of course, Santa Claus has a health pass and wears a mask, and hydroalcoholic gel is available to everyone,” he specifies.

A little further, on the Christmas market on the forecourt of La Défense, outside, one of his twin brothers poses with two children. This time he has dropped the mask, and a little girl is sitting on his lap.

A more anticipated “covid” Christmas

This year, professionals in the sector have more anticipated the context of the health crisis, explains Serge Jolibois, artistic director of Sésame spectacles: “This year, 80% of the shows, parades and Christmas markets were outdoors”. And for Santas, everything is planned: “Before, we had simple armchairs for children to sit on their laps. There, we have invested in larger armchairs so that they sit next to them. We thought it was better than imposing the mask: in terms of disguise, it's not ideal. We disinfect at each visit. Our Santa Clauses have gloves, but they systematically put on gel.

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On the other side of the Seine, right bank, Galeries Lafayette and their 47,800m ² of sales area have also chosen to honor their best customer. On the fifth floor, under the dome, Santa Claus sits on a red throne. This time, no mask, although we are indoors. A pirouette has been found: to strike a pose, the children sit at his feet, on pretty colored cubes. "The rule is no child on Santa's lap - he's still old - but I allow them to remove the mask, otherwise it's ridiculous," says the photographer.

"It's much more tiring to work like this, because we have to dramatize things a lot more", confides Santa Claus, whose authentic white beard and blue eyes we can admire - no doubt, it must be the truth. The old man does not say he is worried about his own health: “I do not speak face-to-face with the parents. I talk to children while keeping my distance. But the role of Father Christmas is a positive attitude and to continue to transmit happiness!”. To see the smile of the little girl who leaves with her photo, the mission seems accomplished.