Beach volleyball at Notre Dame
Photo: Flickr.com
Paris Plages Opens for Business
City beach set to draw the crowds for another year
This week saw the opening of Paris Plages for the sixth consecutive year and organisers hope that the Seine's man-made beach paradise will enjoy its most successful year thanks to tight holiday budgets.
Launched in 2002 by mayor Bertrand Delanoe, the scheme was initially criticised for being frivolous and costly but has since become a popular annual fixture in the city's calendar, drawing in locals and tourists alike.
The attraction operates at three main locations: the first, 'Tropical Ambiance' is situated on the right bank of the Seine and stretches from the Louvre to the Pont de Sully; the second, which is a watersports and boating facility, is based at the Bassin de la Villette, a large man-made lake in the north east of the city; and the third 'Modern, Metropolitan Ambiance' is at the foot of the National Library facing the Seine's left bank.
Visitors can not only enjoy the sun and sand, but also a range of specially organised activities such as fencing, giant table-football and an open-air gym overlooking the Seine, as well as music festivals over the weekends.
It is hoped that the event will offer a cheap alternative to a trip to the seaside for cash-squeezed Parisians coping with the increased cost of living at the moment.
Event designer Jean-Christophe Choblet told Reuters: "I'm convinced the idea will be even more successful this year than last year because of the fact that Parisians have less disposable income due to the purchasing power crisis".
Paris Plages is open until 21st August from 8am to midnight each day.
Launched in 2002 by mayor Bertrand Delanoe, the scheme was initially criticised for being frivolous and costly but has since become a popular annual fixture in the city's calendar, drawing in locals and tourists alike.
The attraction operates at three main locations: the first, 'Tropical Ambiance' is situated on the right bank of the Seine and stretches from the Louvre to the Pont de Sully; the second, which is a watersports and boating facility, is based at the Bassin de la Villette, a large man-made lake in the north east of the city; and the third 'Modern, Metropolitan Ambiance' is at the foot of the National Library facing the Seine's left bank.
Visitors can not only enjoy the sun and sand, but also a range of specially organised activities such as fencing, giant table-football and an open-air gym overlooking the Seine, as well as music festivals over the weekends.
It is hoped that the event will offer a cheap alternative to a trip to the seaside for cash-squeezed Parisians coping with the increased cost of living at the moment.
Event designer Jean-Christophe Choblet told Reuters: "I'm convinced the idea will be even more successful this year than last year because of the fact that Parisians have less disposable income due to the purchasing power crisis".
Paris Plages is open until 21st August from 8am to midnight each day.
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