This is official. During his press brief on March 18, 2021, Jean Castex announced a new lockdown for 4 weeks in 16 departments including Ile-de-France and Paris. Starting Friday March 19 at midnight, new restrictions have been instated such as the closure of some non-necessary stores. Yet, schools, junior highs, and high schools remain open.
As for parks and gardens - that were polemical for the first lockdown - they will remain open all along this third lockdown, like they did during the second lockdown.
But then, as it will be possible to take a walk or work out on your own in green spaces in the capital and Ile-de-France, it is not allowed to meet with friends to picnic, for instance. No big gatherings, this is the idea.
Furthremore, curfew being delayed to 7 p.m. starting Saturday March 20, parks are now closing at 7 p.m., so will gardens even though they usually close later. Please note parks will start closing from 6:45 p.m.
This is good news for Parisians' and Île-de-France inhabitants' mental health in these difficult times, as France is about to switch to summertime next weekend.