Forget The Riviera; Paris Has The Hot Beaches This Summer
By now, we're pretty familiar with the fact that cities like New York, Amsterdam and Paris love to take a break from the hot, urban grind to get down by the shore of their rivers (or canals, in Amsterdam's case) and pretend for a moment that they're on the riviera.
Instead of pouring a dumptruck-full of sand onto the banks of the Seine in Paris, this year the City of Light is kicking it up a notch by having a whole month (July 20 to August 20) of beach atmosphere, water sports, and resort culture along a few patches of the river. Called "Paris Plages," which simply means "Paris Beaches," the event brings in 1,350 tons of sand, 250 sun loungers, 350 deckchairs, 200 tables, 800 chairs, 250 sun umbrellas, 50 palm trees, 40 hammocks… you get the idea.
There will of course also be cafes, sidewalk vendors, various swimming pools, and activities like kayaking, sailing, pedal-boating and hamster-balling (those inflatable wheels pictured above).
There will of course be cafes, sidewalk vendors, various swimming pools, and activities like kayaking, sailing, pedal-boating and hamster-balling (those inflatable wheels pictured above). It will happen at the Voie Georges Pompidou and the Bassin de la Villette, so hope on your Velib and get on down there.
Just remember to watch your trash; Paris Plages is encouraging eco-responsibility by having visitors sort their garbage for recycling, use non-motorized transportation, and recognize that their city can be just as enjoyable as the real Riviera with a little work.
Related Stories:
· Celebrating san by the Seine in Paris [Times UK]
· Paris Plages [Official Site]
· Paris Travel Coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: Times UK]
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