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Artificial beaches open in Paris for the summer

July 21, 2015

The banks of the Seine in the French capital are covered with 5,000 tons of sand - for five weeks only. The event Paris-Plages attracts locals and tourists alike.

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Frankreich Paris-Plages 2015
Image: picture alliance/AA/M. Yalcin

Until August 23, over three kilometers of sandy beaches are made available to visitors, where they can enjoy a wide range of beach sports and activities - from dancing to concerts to simply relaxing on beach chairs.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo opened this year's Paris-Plages on Monday (20.07.2015), an event organized for the 14th time this year. The city designed the scheme to provide a holiday atmosphere to Parisians who could not travel during the summer.

These sandy strips can be found at Bassin de la Villette, Hotel de Ville (where City Hall is located), George-Pompidou road, as well as around the bridges Pont des Arts and Pont de Sully. Four days and nights are needed to turn these areas along the river Seine into temporary beaches. 130 trees are set up, among which 50 palm trees. New activities this year include a farm for children, archery classes and a yacht club. Swimming in the river itself is forbidden.

ot/ak (EFE, Reuters, Le Figaro)