Has Paris become a seaside resort? Every summer, the city of Paris transforms the riversides into a fun event called “Paris Plages.”
This year, we are celebrating the 21th anniversary of the event, which will take place from the 6th of August to the 10th of September. It has been slightly delayed compared to other years because of the Olympics but soon we will be able to swim in the Seine thanks to the event!
What to expect from Paris Plages?
Everybody can find what they want along the riverbanks of the Seine and the Canal Saint-Martin. From families to couples looking for a nice spot for a date, to friends wishing to grab a drink, to joggers wanting to switch their routine…
If you just want to relax with friends, come and enjoy the sunset in a deckchair sipping on cocktails and having a board of cold cuts and French cheeses. There are also quite a few bars open for the occasion, which are prized amongst Parisians, especially after work. Often, just behind them, you can try yourself in a national game, the “pétanque,” which is the French version of “bocce ball."
Families will also have plenty of things to do. Kids will fall in love with the numerous games and activities offered by the city, such as a giant chess game, climbing on the walls, and water fountains to play with. Meanwhile, parents can choose to have a quieter time and take tai chi classes or Swedish gymnastics.
For the most adventurous ones, you can go for a canoe-kayak or surf-paddle session. You can also dive deeper by swimming in dedicated areas on the Canal de l’Ourcq. Finally, to reach the clouds, you will enjoy riding on the zipline above the Bassin de la Villette.
HOW DID PARIS PLAGES START?
Paris Plages was born in 2002, thanks to Bertrand Delanoë. He wanted to allow Parisians who couldn’t afford to go on holiday in the summer to enjoy it in Paris. At its beginnings, the city would even bring sand to the riversides! However, in 2017, they realized that the environmental cost was too high, and they have stopped doing so since then.
At the time, the riverbanks were used as a highway crossing Paris from East to West. The city used to close it down every summer for Paris Plages and decided under the new mayor Anne Hidalgo in 2016 to make it definitely pedestrian. Paris Plages paved the way to give back the riverbanks to Parisians, to the great displeasure of drivers.
The project’s design was led by a scenographer instead of an architect or landscaper. This odd choice was meant to focus the experience on the feeling of being at the beach rather than anything else. Le Touquet, a famous beach resort in Normandy, was the main source of inspiration. Half a million people came to Paris Plages on its first opening day!
Nowadays, Paris Plages gathers millions of visitors every year. The spirit is still the same, and locals, as well as tourists, find themselves charmed by the change of scenery in such a busy city.
CONCLUSION
As with any new project in Paris, Paris Plages was highly controversial at its beginnings and still is the subject of some debate. Do you think it will become a city landmark like the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre pyramid?
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