Background During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 11% of patients who were hospitalized in France were immediately admitted to intensive care. We aimed to identify and characterize the different types of primary care pathways of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 using patients’ self-reported experiences. Method We conducted a qualitative study using biographic interviews of patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19 between September 2020 and December 2021 in the infectious disease departments in Marseille and Nice. The biographical interviews used a life-events calendar approach to understand the sequences of clinical and care events prior to hospitalization. Results 31 pathways were described. Short care pathways (i.e., admission to hospital ≤ 3 days after symptom onset) were more likely to be reported by older patients and those with comorbidities. These pathways were characterized by closer GP surveillance and by sudden symptom onset and rapid progression of the disease. Long care pathways (i.e., >10 days after system onset) were reported more by younger patients with no comorbidities. Multiple tests and medical consultations returning false-negatives had led this population to doubt they had COVID-19. They were more likely to present severe symptoms requiring intensive care. The study revealed key importance of patients’ loved ones in the process of their hospitalization. Conclusion This study highlights that primary care management of COVID-19 patients needing hospitalization in France was particularly slow and detrimental to their health. It also underlines the need to improve the identification and monitoring of patients at risk of complications.