Paris Plages by Night: So Romantic!

In 2002 the Mayor of Paris had the crazy thought to convert the banks of the Seine into sandy beaches during the summer: Paris Plages was born! The operation was so successful that it has been repeated every year, which makes local people and tourists very happy. Indeed what could be more magical than having a drink on a deckchair on a beach along the Seine with a view on Notre Dame. During the day Paris Plages is very lively and attracts many families with children and groups of friends; but not only: one can also meet single persons sitting on a deckchair with a book. The atmosphere is always relaxed and friendly.

This year I got the idea of going there at night rather than during the day or in the evening after work… and I can highly recommend it. I have walked at the water’s edge from one end of Paris Plages to the other on the Voie George Pompidou. And I have much enjoyed the amazing views on every bridge, from the Pont des Arts to the Pont Marie, and on every monument, from the closest -as Notre Dame- to the most faraway -as the Eiffel Tower.

View on the EIffel Tower from Paris Plages
Paris Plages : View on the Pont Neuf and the Eiffel Tower in the background

At 10pm the Eiffel Tower starts sparkling…

Paris Plages by night- The Eiffel Tower in the background
Paris Plages by night- The Eiffel Tower in the background

… and all the bridges are beautifully lit up. In front of us, the Pont Notre Dame:

Paris Plages by Night - The Pont Notre Dame
Paris Plages by Night – The Pont Notre Dame

One goes on strolling on the river banks, highly secured:

Late walkers on Paris Plages
Late walkers on Paris Plages

It looks like we are elsewhere considering all the palm trees:

Paris Plages : a palm tree in front of the Pont Notre Dame
Paris Plages : a palm tree in front of the Pont Notre Dame

Many river cruise boats are passing by…

Paris Plages- A river cruise boat under the Pont Notre Dame
Paris Plages- A river cruise boat under the Pont Notre Dame

… and their passengers admire the beautiful views on the top of the towers of Notre Dame, just like us:

Paris Plages-Beautiful view on the towers of Notre Dame
Paris Plages-Beautiful view on the towers of Notre Dame

A little further one goes past six areas for playing boules, located between the Pont Louis Philippe and the Pont Marie. This is one of the most popular activities of Paris Plages during the day… but so quiet at night:

Paris Plages - One of the six areas for playing boules
Paris Plages – One of the six areas for playing boules

It is now 10.30pm and we have to leave the water’s edge. Back to the street level we cross the Seine on the Pont Marie and then on the Pont de la Tournelle from which the view on Notre Dame is just amazing!

Paris Plages-View on Notre Dame from the Pont de la Tournelle
Paris Plages-View on Notre Dame from the Pont de la Tournelle

I have been surprised by the peace and quiet of the place and was expecting more liveliness and a more festive atmosphere. I went there on a weeknight and shortly before the closing… and of course all the activities were already closed: beach games for children, areas for playing boules, table football,… as well as the pop-up libraries. Only the ice-cream makers and the riverside cafés were still open.

If you prefer a more festive and lively atmosphere you have better choose a Friday or Saturday night. Indeed on those two nights Paris Plages closes at midnight instead of 10pm during the week.

And to make the most of it one can also visit the two other areas where Paris Plages is taking place: The Bassin de la Villette, in the North East of Paris, which offers beaches and activities on both banks and on the water as well ; and the Parvis de l’Hôtel de Ville, close to the Seine, where four beach volleyball courts have been set.

Enjoy the summer in Paris with Paris Plages! I will be back in a month with new posts as I am leaving the city for a couple of weeks holiday. See you soon!

Christine Bokobza – Good Morning Paris B&B – www.goodmorningparis.fr

Practical information: Paris Plages 2016-Voie Georges Pompidou, on the right bank, from the Pont des Arts to the Pont Sully 75004, until 4 September- Parvis de l’Hôtel de Ville 75004, until 21 August- Bassin de la Villette 75019, until 21 August 2016

Visit the Exhibition Paris Magnum before 25 April : it’s free

The Hotel de Ville organizes regularly free exhibitions on the theme of Paris. Those exhibitions take place in one of the main halls of the building and are the opportunity at once to see a quality exhibition for free and to enter the beautiful town hall of Paris.

After Doisneau in 2012 or Brassai in 2014 the current exhibition is called Paris Magnum and presents photographies taken in Paris by the photographers of the prestigious agency. It shows the history of Paris through pictures from the Popular Front in 1936 until today, all taken by famous artists as Robert Capa, Herbert List, Marc Riboud, Raymond Depardon, … The liberation of Paris in 1944 or the demonstrations in May 1968 are beautifully and copiously illustrated. In addition to that black and white portaits of André Malraux, Gérard Philippe, Serge Gainsbourg, … are really not to be missed.

The exhibition has just been extended until 25 April ; all the more reason for visiting it !

Practical information : Monday to Saturday – from 10.00 till 18.30 – 5 rue Lobau 75004 Paris – Metro Hôtel de Ville (lines 1, 11) – free admission

Christine Bokobza – Good Morning Paris B&B – www.goodmorningparis.fr