With the return of summer, it’s impossible to miss the Paris Plages (Paris Beaches) event. Ice cream vendors, water sports, deckchairs, palm trees; everything you need to enjoy a beach resort holiday is here except the sand!
A hugely popular celebration of summer
Created in 2002 by the Mairie de Paris, Paris Plages has become one of the capital's flagship events, a true celebration of the joys of summer. Every year, from mid-July to the beginning of September, the right bank of the Seine between the Pont de Sully and the Pont Neuf, the Place de l'Hotel de Ville, the area around the Bassin de la Villette (Quai de Loire) and some other locations are transformed into pop-up beach resorts dedicated to relaxation, sun-seeking, fun, sport and cultural activities for all ages.
Two months of all kinds of fun activities
Summer is a good time to relax, engage in sport or immerse yourself in cultural activities. On the Paris Plages agenda are exhibitions and concerts in various locations, plus pop-up libraries because, as we all know, reading is an essential beach activity. Summer is also great for staying in shape and Paris Plages has this covered, too, offering dozens of free sports activities in the heart of the capital. But, most of all, summer is the season for relaxation. Paris Plages invites you to come and take it easy in deckchairs set up in the shade of palm trees. You won’t have far to go to get something to eat or drink, either, as each Paris Plages location has a selection of vendors selling your favourite height of summer refreshments.
At the Bassin de la Villette
This summer you can swim and practice water sports in the three floating pools of the Bassin de la Villette. Pedalos, rowing boats and canoes await so you can have some fun on the water. The Villette site also offers dance, yoga, and tai chi classes and even zipline thrills. If your idea of fun is a little more sedate, you can enjoy boules or table football.
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Photo credit : © Erasmus of Paris - Flickr
Paris France Hotel, a 3-star hotel ideally located at the centre of Paris