Paris is currently experiencing a drastic change, with all restaurants closed and a curfew in place at 6 pm. The lively atmosphere of the city has been replaced by a sense of gloom as people are forced to eat sandwiches in the rain on park benches. This shift in the city's culture is unsettling to many. They now opt for takeout in the form of "click-and-collect" instead of dining out early, which they see as a negative American influence. They sadly look at the outdated menus of closed restaurants still offering traditional French dishes. The city no longer has its usual bustling tourist attractions like museums, riverboats, sidewalk cafes, and movie theaters. Instead, there is a feeling of melancholy and emptiness in the air. Saul Bellow wrote in 1983 that Parisian gloom is more than just a result of the weather - it also has a profound effect on one's character, opinions, and judgment. Despite this, Bellow could still enjoy a glass of sauvignon blanc and a plate of charcuterie when feeling down due to the "Parisian grisaille." However, in the current damp Parisian winter, with the toll of COVID-19 rising and the city's deserted streets reminiscent of TS Eliot's "tedious argument," sunlight has been scarce, leaving doubts as to its reality. New York does not experience light rain or long periods of overcast skies. My adjustment to this change has been difficult, especially in comparison to Paris, which seems to have lost its essence. Alain Ducasse, a renowned chef, described the current state of Paris as "absolute sadness" and "a terrible imprisonment." The French people are struggling to adapt to a life without social interactions, such as meeting friends at a cafe or exchanging a kiss on the cheek as a greeting or goodbye. With over 74,000 fatalities in France due to the pandemic, the restrictions put in place are widely accepted. Many major cities globally have experienced significant losses in life, employment, and lifestyle. Paris is not the only city facing hardships, as each city adapts in its unique manner. In New York, the most noticeable absence is the vibrant energy that typically characterizes it. In Paris, the missing element that is deeply felt is the lack of the lively and pleasurable social interactions that captivate people's imaginations. The disappearance of pleasures that the French have perfected over centuries has made life dull and routine. There seems to be limited options for entertainment or excitement, leading to a sense of confinement for some, as a friend recently expressed by saying, "We'll only have Paris." Frédéric Hocquard, who is in charge of tourism and nightlife in the mayor's office, mentioned that he purchased a dog so that he can take it for walks after the curfew. According to him, the number of tourists visiting Paris decreased by approximately 85% last year. Additionally, visits to popular attractions like the Louvre and Versailles, which are currently closed, saw a decline of around 90%. Describing the situation as "catastrophic," he expressed deep concern about the impact of the decrease in tourism on the city. Hotel occupancy is currently at around 6%, but there is a positive trend in the increasing number of Parisians visiting the Eiffel Tower, which doubled last year. According to Hocquard, one defining trait of a true Parisian is never having gone up the iconic landmark, but this is starting to change. This shift was brought about by the removal of other options, and there are other benefits to be found in this challenging situation for Parisians. Traffic continues to move smoothly, while markets remain bustling with vendors selling fresh oysters, butchers carefully preparing quails, cheeses being debated over for ripeness, and rum baba cakes with syringes for injecting rum. The city's islands still face towards the low bridges, and the 19th-century lampposts on Rue de Rivoli create a dreamy atmosphere reminiscent of a film noir. (Individuals with press passes can venture out after curfew). Paris is peaceful and lost in thought. Ducasse mentioned that in one hundred days, the city would start coming back to life. When asked about his travels, he mentioned only going to Bologna in Italy to find a skilled gelato maker. After achieving success with his chocolate business a couple of years ago, Hocquard now plans to venture into the ice cream business. Additionally, he is considering organizing concerts and outdoor activities in parks, along the Seine river, and even at unused airports in April and May. Despite his optimistic outlook for the future, he still has to address the challenges of the present. On a recent snowy Sunday, the author visited the Tuileries garden in search of diversion, appreciating its formal design with gravel paths, trimmed trees, and structured layouts. One feature that was still operational was a carousel, where colorful horses, an ostrich, a car, a plane, a ship, and a few Cinderella carriages went round and round. My companion and I opted for the horses, while the music playing was of North African origin. There were a few children present as well. The carousel, a small wonder, took me on a nostalgic journey through my sporadic visits to Paris dating back to the 1970s. Paris will return again, perhaps not this spring, but eventually. I observed a crow grabbing a leftover French fry and flying to a bench to eat it. I looked at a wall adorned with plaques honoring French soldiers who died during the liberation of Paris in 1944, including the youngest, Jean-Claude Touche, who was only 18 years old. The pandemic has created a situation similar to wartime during peacetime. Just like how Humphrey Bogart's character in "Casablanca" tells Ingrid Bergman's character to remember their love in Paris, now more than ever, we must imagine Paris. Copyright 2021 The New York Times Company.