| With palm trees in the breeze on top of two | | | | between Port de la Gare and La Passerelle |
| miles of golden sand, it could be Palm Beach or | | | | Simone de Beauvoir. The initiative recognized as |
| Palma de Mallorca. But it's central Paris, and the | | | | "a bit crazy" by the Socialist mayor Bertrand |
| Paris Plage project, the manmade beach along the | | | | Delanoe, started in 2002 and has become a |
| river Seine. Last-minute preparations went on all | | | | permanent annual event. It was welcomed by all |
| night, with workmen smoothing out the 2,000 | | | | Parisians, who showed what a good idea they |
| tons of fine sand now spread on what's usually a | | | | thought it was. In addition to lie around on the sun |
| busy motorway. Deck chairs, sun-loungers and | | | | beds, visitors can take part in a range of free |
| colorful sun umbrella had sprung up everywhere. | | | | sporting activities, including petanque and volleyball, |
| And by lunchtime, it is impossible to find a free | | | | and dance in the old-time dance cafes, known as |
| chair. | | | | ginguettes. |
| For people who live in Paris and have made a | | | | However it has to be kept in mind that the Seine |
| decision to spend the summer in the city, and for | | | | river is not fit for swimming in. According to |
| those who are not citizens of Paris and have | | | | project designer Jean-Christophe Choblet, the aim |
| decided to spend the summer in the city, there is | | | | of this beach is lazing and strolling by the water. It |
| some good news -as Paris Plage is there to | | | | was never contemplated that one will have to |
| entertain the people of Paris. | | | | pack bucket and spade for a weekend in Paris. |
| Traditionally the first beach stretches on the Seine | | | | In addition to providing a great place to lie down |
| River's right bank, between the Tuilleries and Pont | | | | and absorb the calming atmosphere of the |
| de Sully. The beach comes with some exciting | | | | riverside, the Paris Plage plays host to numerous |
| improvements each and every year. Besides the | | | | concerts all through the summer. From comedy |
| usual beach sports activities, like beach volley, | | | | to trip-hop and choreographed dance routines, the |
| there are rowing matches, several ball games, and | | | | bizarrely located beach offers a selection of |
| aerobic courses in the swimming pool and dance | | | | entertainment for everyone. |
| contests. The activity is dependent on | | | | However, the idea of Paris Plage is, in fact, liberal |
| preferences if one is inclined to be less active, | | | | so as to meet the need for holidays of those |
| then one can relax in one of the numerous | | | | who cannot leave. But for that to happen, it |
| hammocks or beach beds that are strategically | | | | would be necessary that Paris looks beyond the |
| placed under colorful umbrellas and tropical palm | | | | small water area of the p?riph?rique, and develop |
| trees. | | | | it fully so as one would be delighted to visit Paris |
| The second beach around 700 meters long is | | | | Plage. |