Snack time is approaching and the aisles of the Toulon Christmas market are gradually filling up this Saturday afternoon. The mistral has finally calmed down and Place de la Liberté once again becomes an unmissable destination on this first day of school holidays. It's because Santa Claus is approaching, it even seems that some have seen him around a chalet…
“No impact on our decision to come”
If the attack which plunged Germany into mourning on Friday evening is on everyone's minds, even conversations between Magali and her mother Christine, no visitor seems overly worried about seeing such a tragedy occur again on our territory.
“To be honest, we saw this on the news but it had no impact on our decision to come to the market this afternoon, confide with one voice Benjamin, his partner Aurélie and the parents – “Bretons” – from this one, Patrice and Claudine. We have learned from our mistakes, there are barriers everywhere and guards on every corner. Even in town, we find that there is a larger presence than usual. We feel safe. »
Having come to attend the RCT meeting a little later in the day, the Toucassins do not count “stop living”. “It’s unfortunate but that’s the goal sought by the people who commit these attacks.”
Same speech at Christophe's, alongside his wife Dominique, his daughter Amandine and his two and a half year old granddaughter who arrived straight from Cannet-des-Maures to “see Santa Claus”.
“There is a real feeling of security within the market. Which is not the case outside unfortunately. We always have this risk in the back of our minds, but we live with it. We had planned to come, so we came. If we allowed ourselves to be overcome by fear, we would no longer do anything…”
“Don’t lose the magic of Christmas”
With his head on the handlebars, Jérôme, at the La Cade chalet in Toulouse, had not even had time to read the news. “Such a tragedy would not be possible here, at least with a ram car, due to the configuration of the square. The security guards are constantly present, they even sleep there!” Added to this are regular tours of national police officers and soldiers from Operation Sentinel.
“They are visible and that’s very good, admit Caroline and Julie, friends and mothers from Seyn, out for a walk with the children. We necessarily think about the risk. But we decide to come anyway. We must not lose the magic of Christmas.”
