The Part Of Paris Rick Steves Says Transforms Every Summer Into A Series Of Fanciful Faux Beaches

Picture this: it's a hot sunny summer day in Paris, France, and you're wandering the streets taking in all of the beautiful sites. You're enjoying yourself, sure, but you can't help wishing you were on a beach vacation instead of sweating to death on the way to visit the Eiffel Tower. If this random instance sounds exactly like you, then guess what? You're in luck because Parisians felt the same way. Since taking a trip to enjoy the beaches of France every day isn't the most feasible option, they thought, why not bring the beaches to us? While Paris wouldn't be the first place (or the place at all) to come to mind when thinking of sitting on sandy shores enjoying an ice cream, travel guru Rick Steves suggests otherwise. 

Since its initiation to the city in 2002, every summer (typically between early July to late August or early September), Paris beaches or "plages" as they're known in French are created along the left and right banks of the Seine River, the Bassin de la Villette, the Parc Rives de Seine, and the Canal Saint Martin. According to travel expert Rick Steves, who wrote about the Paris Plages project on his website, "It's not the French Riviera, but this string of fanciful faux beaches — with potted palm trees, hammocks, and lounge chairs — makes a fun relaxation zone." Here, you'll find numerous ways to unwind and have fun, such as pop-up bars, concerts, volleyball courts, pools, cafes, ice cream stands, art exhibits, and different water equipment for rent. There are also many beach chairs, cabanas, and plenty of beautiful places to picnic as well. 

Both sides of the Seine River offer ample opportunities to enjoy these man-made beaches. On the right bank, visitors can enjoy the Plages from the Pont Neuf bridge to the Pont de Sully bridge located very close to Place de la Bastille. The right bank beach is focused more on relaxation, with beach chairs lining the river and a few pop-up bars and small cafes to grab a snack or drink. In past years, sand was shipped in and placed along the Seine to create these man-made beaches and then removed at the end of summer. Now, in a more eco-friendly approach, certain areas have instead been lined with grass and trees to create a year-round park. The closest metro stations to access the right bank beaches are Pont Neuf, Pont Marie, and Sully-Morland. 

The left bank beach, on the other hand, is where to go if you are looking for a more lively vibe. Here, visitors can find games, a climbing wall, art displays, bars and restaurants, live music and concerts at the waterfront stage, and dancing. It's a great place for families to come and enjoy children's activities, biking, skating, picnic spots, and deck chairs for relaxing. Pop-up restaurants are also available, as is Rosa Bonheur — a floating restaurant on a boat near the Pont Alexandre III bridge. The closest metro stations to the left bank beaches are Invalides and Assemblée Nationale — and the closest RER are Pont d'Alma, Invalides, and Gare du Musée d'Orsay.

Visitors in the summer can also explore Bassin de la Villette — a half-mile-long canal complete with four large Paris Plages swimming pools within. The area is free to enter and open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and 200 people are allotted the same time slot for the pools. Each of the pools has different water depths to accommodate swimmers of different levels and abilities. The area has access to changing rooms, toilets, and showers as well. Visitors can also find waterfront activities such as canoeing, stand-up paddleboards, sailboats, paddle boats, and other activities such as yoga, table tennis, dance workshops, a zipline, and a climbing wall. Cafes with snacks, alcohol, and ice cream line the water as well. In 2024, the plages extended to include beaches along both sides of the Canal Saint Martin in the 10th arrondissement, where visitors can find swimming, entertainment, and food options as well. 

Located nearby to the Bassin is the Parc de la Villette, one of the places in Paris that is, miraculously, not overrun by tourists. The park is also home to the Cité des Sciences es de l'Industrie and the Philharmonie de Paris, which offers exquisite concerts in a beautifully designed setting. Visitors can also explore the neighboring Saint Martin Canal, which is overflowing with boutiques, galleries, pop-up stores, and delicious bars and bistros. The closest metro lines to access Bassin de la Villette are from the Jaurès stations (Lines 2,5,6), Crimée station (Line 7), and Laumière (Line 5). So, if you find yourself in Paris during the summer, sweating and dragging your feet from sight to sight, you can always head to one of the Paris Plages to plop down in a lawn chair.