Paris has temporarily lost its vibrancy due to the closure of restaurants and a 6 pm curfew. The city's usual lively atmosphere has been replaced with a sense of gloom as people now eat sandwiches on benches and taboos are broken. The people now opt for takeout through "le click-and-collect" instead of dining out earlier, which they see as an undesirable American influence. They sadly look at the outdated menus of closed restaurants still offering traditional dishes. The city has lost its vibrant atmosphere due to the absence of museums, tourist attractions, outdoor dining, movie theaters, and the lively street life it once had. Instead, a sense of gloom has taken over the city. In 1983, Saul Bellow wrote that the gloom in Paris is more than just the weather - it is a spiritual force that affects not only the physical surroundings but also one's character and judgment. Despite this, Bellow could still find solace in 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 COVID-19 crisis worsening and the city's streets eerily empty, even a glimpse of sunlight feels fleeting and leaves one questioning its reality. New York does not experience drizzle or long periods of gray skies like Paris does. The adjustment has been difficult, especially for a city that seems to have lost its spirit. Alain Ducasse, a renowned chef, described the current situation in Paris as extremely sad and imprisoning. The French are struggling with the absence of social interactions they are accustomed to, such as having a drink at a cafe or exchanging kisses. Even the customary "bisou" on both cheeks as a form of greeting or farewell is no longer a part of daily life. With over 74,000 fatalities in France due to the pandemic, the restrictions put in place are widely accepted. Many major cities worldwide have suffered losses in terms of lives, jobs, and daily routines. Paris is not the only city facing hardships, as each city experiences its own unique changes. In New York, the most noticeable absence is the vibrant energy that typically characterizes the city. The void at the center of Paris is the lack of the vibrant social atmosphere that ignites people's imagination. It is the loss of refined pleasures that the French have perfected over centuries with the belief that there are endless possibilities. Life feels dull and repetitive, with limited options for entertainment. A friend recently expressed feeling trapped by saying, "We'll only have Paris." Frédéric Hocquard, who oversees tourism and nightlife in the mayor's office, mentioned that he purchased a dog so he could take walks with it after the curfew. He also shared that the number of tourists in Paris decreased by approximately 85% last year, with visits to popular attractions like the Louvre and Versailles dropping by about 90%, which he described as "catastrophic." Hotel occupancy is currently at approximately 6%, but there is a positive aspect to the situation - the number of Parisians visiting the Eiffel Tower has doubled. Hocquard mentioned that traditionally, true Parisians never ascend the Eiffel Tower, but this perception is starting to change. The increase in visitors can be attributed to the lack of alternative activities available to Parisians. Despite the overall low occupancy rates in hotels, there are other advantages to be found in this challenging situation in Paris. Traffic is moving smoothly, and markets are bustling with vendors shucking oysters, butchers carefully preparing quail, cheeses sparking discussions about ripeness, and rum baba cakes with syringes to add rum. The city's islands still face the low bridges, while 19th-century lampposts on Rue de Rivoli create a cinematic atmosphere with their soft light. (Journalists with press passes can be out after curfew). Paris when it is calm is also Paris lost in thought. Ducasse mentioned the phrase "One hundred days" and confidently stated that the city would start to come back to life. When asked about his travels, he mentioned that he had only been to Bologna in Italy to find a skilled gelato maker. After establishing a profitable chocolate business a couple of years ago, Hocquard is now looking to venture into the ice cream industry. In addition, he is considering organizing concerts and other outdoor events in parks, along the Seine, and possibly at unused airports in April and May. Despite his optimistic plans for the future, there is still the challenge of addressing the current situation. Recently, on a snowy Sunday, the narrator visited the Tuileries in search of some diversion. They have always appreciated the formal design of the garden, with its gravel paths, pruned trees, and geometric layouts. One of the attractions that was still operational was a carousel, where colorful horses, an ostrich, a car, a plane, a ship, and a couple of Cinderella carriages went round and round. My companion and I decided to ride the horses. The music playing was North African, and there were a few children present. The carousel, a small wonder, reminded me of my occasional visits to Paris starting from the 1970s. Paris will return again, perhaps not this spring, but eventually. I observed a crow picking up a French fry and flying to a bench to eat it. I looked at a wall honoring French soldiers who died during the liberation of Paris in 1944, including the youngest, Jean-Claude Touche, who was 18 years old. The pandemic has brought about circumstances resembling wartime during peacetime. Like all things, it will eventually come to an end. Humphrey Bogart's iconic line from "Casablanca" - "We'll always have Paris" - also served as a message for Ingrid Bergman to move on, be with her husband, and find solace in memories of their love in the city. It encouraged the use of imagination. Now, more than ever, Paris must be envisioned. Copyright 2021 The New York Times Company.