It can get pretty hot in Paris during July and August. If you’re visiting the City of Lights this summer and want to escape the heat, there’s no need to travel all the way to seaside resorts in Normandy, Brittany or the South of France. Since 2002, Parisians have had their own beaches right in the heart of city. Wanting to help residents who couldn’t afford to vacation away from Paris, the Mairie de Paris installs artificial beaches complete with sand, umbrellas, and even palm trees along the Seine. The thoroughfares along the banks of the river are closed to traffic and the temporary beaches are created.
In 2019, Paris Plages will be open from July 6th until September 1st. Located at the Parc Rives de Seine, the artificial beaches stretch for 3.5 km. The Parc Rives de Seine is located on the Right Bank between the Pont de Sully and the Pont Neuf and on the Left Bank between the Pont de Solférino and Pont Alexandre III. The closest metro stations are Sully-Morland, Pont Marie, Pont Neuf and Invalides.
Free to the public, Paris Plages welcome Parisians and visitors to the city alike. New amenities have been added to the beaches each year since Paris Plages began, including the floating bassin near the Metro Sully Morland, a lending library, a floating pool in front of the Bibliothèque Nationale and various games for children including playgrounds and mini-golf. For the adults, if you’re not in the mood for soaking up the sun, there are many activities to partake in including Tai Chi and Ballroom dancing classes!
While one cannot swim in the Seine, the Mairie of Paris has also opened a huge swimming complex of three enclosed basins as part of Paris Plages. These are located in the 19th arrondissement at the Bassin de la Villette, on the Quai de Loire. Each of the pools has a different depth which permits all visitors of different ages the chance to enjoy the water. These will be open in 2019 starting in mid-June, everyday from 11am to 9pm and are supervised by lifeguards. Showering and changing facilities are also available.
In the evening, the quais along the Seine are a favorite place for Parisians to go to drink cocktails, relax in lawn chairs and listen to outdoor music while enjoying the cool breezes off the river. Some of the best bars next to the Seine can be found on the Left Bank, near the Pont Alexandre III.
Just a note: while at many beaches in France topless sunbathing is allowed, this is not the case at Paris Plages!
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