© Emilija Randjelovic

Since the beginning of November, France has once again been in general containment to fight the coronavirus pandemic that is affecting the whole world. In this period of crisis, it is imperative to stay at home in order not to spread the virus. Whether you are alone or with your family, this period of isolation can be difficult, but let's look on the bright side, it is also an opportunity to take some time for yourself. With your daily routine turned upside down, you'll have a lot more time on your hands! Here are 10 activities to do at home during this period of isolation

Learning a foreign languageDo you

© gpointstudio
dream of learning Spanish, Italian or Portuguese, but never have the time? Now is the time to get started! There are plenty of resources at your disposal: mobile applications, online courses, series to watch in the original language or that good old grammar book that's been sitting on your shelf for years! Of course, we can't promise you'll become bilingual, but you can at least gossip a few words on your next trip!

Sorting your travel photosDigital

© martin-dm
has changed our relationship to images and hundreds or even thousands of photos have replaced our old 24-picture film! It's high time to sort them on your computer and select the most beautiful photos from your old travels to make an album or frame them in your living room! It's also a good opportunity to recall fond memories while waiting to book for your next getaway.

Travelling through the cinema

© Andrew Deer

Movies are a great way to escape. Many films shot all over the world allow you to travel comfortably from your sofa. From Pedro Almodóvar's Spain to the excellent Into the wild that takes us on a backpacking trip to discover America, there are many film escapades available. To help you choose, check out our article about the most beautiful invitations to the cinema trip

Reading as an escape

© Emilija Randjelovic

Another means of escape during this period of confinement is reading. If your library is overflowing with books you still haven't read, it's high time to get started! Some books will allow you to take off from the first page, such as Jack Kerouac's On the Road or Jules Verne's classic Around the World in Eighty Days. A good way to travel without packing your suitcases!

Become a chef

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Just because you can't go to a restaurant anymore doesn't mean you should eat badly! On the contrary, it's the perfect time to become a chef and concoct comforting recipes. So get out your cookbooks or go online to put some spice on your plates! And why not take a culinary tour of the world? On Monday, ravioli, on Tuesday, chicken curry, on Wednesday, sushi... To your ovens!

Be creative!

© 13-Smile

Since you have time, why not take the opportunity to get back to sewing, drawing or painting? It's the perfect time for creative hobbies, alone or with your family. We're sure you've already got lots of ideas, from the painting workshop to creating pearl necklaces. Get out the canvases, brushes, sewing machine and anything else that's been sleeping too long in your closets to release the artist in you!

(Re-)taking up sport

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During this period of confinement, you will certainly feel the need to engage in physical activity to stay in shape. Don't worry, it's perfectly possible to stay home for that! Start off gently by taking a stretching class to stretch your muscles (on video or on your phone using one of the many applications available). Then, cardio, rhythmic dance or gymnastics: the choice is yours!

Improvise a spa at home

© Photography by Adri

To relax, you don't have to go to the beauty salon: you can organise a real spa in your bathroom! If you are lucky enough to have a bathtub, the moment will be even more relaxing! Empty your cupboards in search of the different products piled up (scrubs, creams, candles, essential oils...): you finally have time to take care of yourself and you will quickly get the taste for it!

Do meditation or yoga

© LaylaBird

Whether you're a novice or an adept, yoga is the perfect activity to relax during this stressful time. All you need is a mat and a quiet place to get started. Several classes are available online, allowing you to get started or to progress. To blow and clear your mind, consider meditation as well. To get started, books and interesting mobile applications can be used

Visiting a museum from home

© JannHuizenga

Many museums in France and around the world are offering virtual visits to their galleries in this period of crisis. A very good idea to cultivate yourself from the comfort of your living room! Of course, the virtual visit is a little less impressive, but seeing the Mona Lisa at home is still an experience in itself! Among the museums that have set up this system: the Louvre, the British Museum in London or the Vatican Museums