With cafes, bars and museums in the French capital closed to combat COVID-19, Parisians are taking advantage of the spring weather and socializing outdoors. But amid the coronavirus restrictions, one thing remains in shortly supply: toilets.

Paris has more than 700 public lavatories, but long lines outside the scattered facilities have become a common sight during the pandemic, in particular at parks and along the banks of the River Seine.

"It's really complicated, especially for girls, because there's always a line and there aren't that many toilets," said Charlotte Le Merdy, a publishing assistant, while she waited with around a dozen others outside a toilet near Notre-Dame cathedral.

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"I think we had to wait for 20, 30 minutes," said Laura, another Parisian battling with the lack public facilities. "There are a lot of people today... and it's like that all the time."

The shortage has forced many Parisians (mostly men) to find the closest secluded spot, further vexing the city's complicated relationship with cleanliness.

"It has repercussions because the boys pee everywhere," said Luc, a Paris security guard. "You can see that the streets are dirty, that there's a lack of hygiene."

The situation has added pressure on Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who is already facing a torrent of complaints over rubbish and neglect in the city, with the hashtag "#saccageParis" (the trashing of Paris) trending on social media in recent weeks.

The city says there are 435 self-cleaning toilets in the capital, alongside an additional 50 stand-up urinals and around 300 toilets at parks and gardens.

But many people aren't convinced it's enough, with the state of the toilets also in question. 

"These toilets are so filthy, going inside is like you're trying to get sick," said Bamoye, a bike courier.

"It does pose a problem when you drink too much in the parks, you want to find a toilet and there's a massive line," said English teacher Paris Zeikos.

"You need to be cautious about how much water you drink before, how much water you drink afterwards and you kind of need to be aware of your surroundings at the same time," he said.

The situation has made those in the French capital all the more impatient for cafes and restaurants to reopen, with outdoor seating set reopen on May 19. But until then, Parisians will just have to hold it in.

Video editing: Pedro Duarte