Golden sandy beaches, palm trees swaying in the summer breeze, little giggling children running around in their bathers, pina coladas on ice with petite paper umbrellas… so where in the world is Carmen Santiago you may ask? Paris. Duh!
For the month of August, the banks of the Seine River temporarily transform into the world renowned Paris Plage. The beach attracts people of all ages, shapes and sizes to celebrate summer. On a typical Parisian summer day the sun shines, the skies are blue and people are transformed into holiday mode. There’s fun in the sun for all ages – salsa dance classes, walk-through water fountains for the younger ones, magicians, live bands, rollerblading, foosball tables, and even aqua-gym classes in the large swimming pool constructed uniquely for this event. Swimming pool you may ask? Well yes, what’s summer without a pool? Seriously, there’s no show without Punch.
View of Paris Plage across the Seine River
What I love most about the Paris Plage is watching the littlies on the beach. For many of them, this is the first time they have seen a ‘beach’ let alone played on its sandy shores making sandcastles. My boyfriend’s sister has been working down in the south of France for her holidays looking after small children at a summer camp. For all of these children who live in the Paris suburbs, it was the first time they had ever seen the sea. Hélène explained to me that when they got there and saw the sea for the first time, they did not know how to react and something very bizarre happened… each and every one of these five to seven-year-olds ran into the sea… fully dressed. A logistical nightmare for the supervisors, of course, but a certain wave of happiness flowed through them seeing the smiling delight on the faces of these wee kiddies.
Smiling children on the banks of the Seine River.
So if you’re in Paris in the next week, come along and join in the summer festivities. The Paris Plage closes on the 22nd of August, so make the most of the beach at your inner city doorstep! All you need now to complete this easy, breezy summer feeling is a bottle of chilled rosé, a few tapas, and the summery sound of the latest Vampire Weekend CD. What more could one want?!
(An article by Sarah Reese)
Can totally agree with Sarah – Such a great idea for
Paris in the heat of August. We experienced the ” Beaches”
in August 2008, and saw that the locals and the visitors
really enjoyed the atmosphere.
Then it was off to Provence with ” The French Way”
What an exciting time we have been having over the past
years – Like the song says – ” Stop the world I want to get
off ”
Rose & Vic ( fans of the French Way)
Ah, it’s a shame I’ll miss this! The one I went to in Hamburg a few years ago was pretty good. I’ll be in Paris form 27-30 dipping in and out of the Rock en Seine music festival but keen to explore the city too. I know of the Silhouette outdoor cinema, but are there any other new and interesting events happening over the weekend that anybody’s aware of please? Any new public art installations for example?
Oh and hello Sarah!
Thanks
Jools
Thanks for your message Jools. I’m not too sure about public art installations happening at the moment as I haven’t been back for a couple of months now. However, you must not miss out on the last days of the Yves Saint Laurent Retrospective at Le Petit Palais (Shuts 29 August) This incredible exhibition displays the splendour of his famous haute couture collections right up until 2002. 40 years of glamour, colour and love make this an exhibition not to be missed. The exhibition is open late on the night of the 28th August for last-minute viewing before this exquisite exhibition draws to an end. Be prepared to wait in some long lines…well worth the wait though!
Unfortunately you’ll just miss out on the opening of Jazz à la Villette (31 August – 12 September 2010), the annual jazz festival at Parc de la Villette. The festival this year offers a fantastic, toe-tapping line-up of jazz, hip-hop, soul and more – a great way to soak up the summer sun!
Hope this helps, bon voyage!