Wednesday, July 22, 2009

A Beach in Paris?

It's a hot summer day and you are longing for the sand and sun that a beach provides, but you find yourself in Paris, miles away from the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. Will you fight traffic to get to the beaches of Normandy to find your repose? You could; but if you are here in late July through
August that won't be necessary. You will be just a metro stop away from Paris Plage (translation Paris Beach), a makeshift beach provided for the tourists and the few French people who haven't fled Paris for the summer.

Since 2002, Paris Plage has been enchanting sojourners with imported sand aligning the right bank of the Seine. And this sand is the good stuff too. It's not the course grainy sand of the Pacific. It's as though they sifted all the junk out, leaving only a fine layer of a bit of Heaven that will delight your feet.

Located along the quais Henri IV, Célestins, l'Hôtel de Ville, Mégisserie and the Louvre, just look for the row of blue umbrellas and lawn chairs down on the bank and you will be there. Changing rooms are provided and there will be some sort of water available to splash on your face.

If sunbathing isn't your thing, not to worry; there are a host of activities ranging from table tennis, fencing, working out, dance, youth oriented musicals, massage, a playground for kids, just to name a few. There is certainly no room for boredom at Paris Plage.

So, pack your plastic buckets and shovels and be prepared to make some sand castles. Paris Plage is just a doorstep away.

Thank you for reading and bonne journée.