Letter From Paris: Paris Plage

Image by Pierre Numérique via Flickr

Paris Plage
July 20 - August 20
from Quai du Louvre to Quai des Celestins, Right Bank

If Parisians can't go to the sea during summer holidays, then the seashore comes to them.  Palm trees and sand are placed along the Seine along with mounds of comfy lounge chairs.  From fishing, swimming, and dancing to sun-bathing, petanque and Tai Chi, Paris Plage comes to life each year with fresh design and energy.  Cafes and kiosks offer refreshments, and bicycle newsstands are pedaled up and down the rue to tempt sunbathers with newspapers and gossip mags. 

Don't we all love a trashy beach read!

Walking the Boardwalk

Seine-side Cafe

The Endless Summer Look

For Tete-a-Tetes

Sandless Sunning

Miss Paris Plage Bombshell of 2009

Every year, I am amazed at how pleasant it is to walk the plage in morning, before the sun is blazing and the chairs are filled.  Every year, I wonder at the French sense of quality of life for the city's officials to provide this for Paris and its visitors.

                                                                                     ---Beth Arnold

Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by Beth Arnold on her iPhone.

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