Paris Plage

Paris Plage along the Voie Georges Pompidou (Right Bank)
Photo by Anne THOMES / Mairie de Paris

The "beaches" of Paris Plage opened on a particularly hot and sunny day last week, with the usual chaise lounges, sand boxes, water misters, ice cream stands, free live concerts (at Pont Sully), and organized activities like volleyball and boules and even swimming (not in the river, of course).

This year there are two main sites, the historic Right Bank (central Paris, from Quai du Louvre to Quai Henri IV) and the eastern Parisian Bassin de la Villette (19th arrondissement, metro Jaurès, Crimée or Laumière). The central Paris Plage is good for lounging, live music and beautiful views of Paris (although it's a bit more crowded), and the Bassin de la Villette is good if you want to get out onto the water, dance at one of the nightly "bals" (swing, salsa and musette music), or just avoid the largest crowds.

Bassin de la Villette
Photo by Anne THOMES / Mairie de Paris

Some fun facts:

• 3.7 kilometers of "beach" over two locations
• 4 sand beaches with 2500 tons of sand
• 300 chaise lounges, 450  reclining beach chairs, 250 parasols, 26 hammocks
• 33 palm trees
• 30 rowboats, 10 sailboats, 12 canoes, 8 kayaks, 25 pedal boats (all in the Bassin de la Villette)
• 640 lifeguards
• 1200 security guards
• 8 snack bars and 4 ice cream stands

Some things to note (buzz kill alert): No topless bathing or g-string bikinis allowed, be careful of pickpockets, and get there early if you want a hammock!

Open daily 8am-midnght in central Paris, 9am-11pm at La Villette, until August 21. Free entry. Don't forget your sunglasses.