free events in paris – EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog

Paris Goes to the Beach July 20-August 18

Kristin Hohenadel — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 14:38:36 +0000

In the summer of 2002, newly elected socialist Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoë transformed the banks of the Seine into a sandy beach. The philosophy behind this spectacular gesture? To provide an urban oasis and a gathering place for cash-strapped Parisians on a staycation as well as the hordes of tourists who flock to the city during the dog days of summer.

Now a summer in Paris institution, this year’s Paris Plages runs from July 20 to August 18, at the original site on the right bank near the City Hall and the Bassin de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement that opened in 2007. Car traffic is banished and the beaches are open for business and pleasure from 9 a.m. to midnight daily.

In addition to nearly a kilometer of sandy Seine-side beaches, complete with palm trees, lawn chairs and parasols, activities include tai chi and dance lessons, boules and mini golf, live concerts, riverside cafes, a lending library, water-based activities at the Bassin de la Villette and more.

All activities are free and open to the public. Note that topless sunbathing and swimming in the Seine are not permitted.

Photos of Paris Plages from previous years

Walking along the Paris Plages in 2009. Photo: gelinh

The beaches erupt into music and dance. Photo: philippeleroyer

You can even construct a sand chateaux. Photo: cedriccousseau

The plages attract sunbathers and snackers. Photo: passionleica

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An Ephemeral Garden at Paris’ Hotel de Ville

Kristin Hohenadel — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 14:15:10 +0000

Every year since 2006, the sprawling plaza in front of Paris’ city hall has been transformed into an ephemeral garden, offering a shock of verdant relief in the heart of this eternally gray city.

The Paris municipal crew responsible for maintaining the city’s 480 gardens, 20 cemeteries and the 100,000 trees lining its avenues and streets has created a tranquil green gathering space that includes grass, flowers, herbs, trees and plenty of wood palette benches and lawn chairs where you can take a breather, enjoy the smell of grass and flowers, sunbathe, people-watch, rest your feet or sneak in a little stress-busting siesta between sightseeing.

Along with all the vegetation, there is an exhibition about the city’s trees and daily events ranging from floral arranging demos to children’s activities.

This year’s organizers have included a number of installations to promote the city’s community gardens and other ongoing re-vegetation efforts, as well as to inspire Parisians to make their own private efforts to add some green space to their tiny balconies and outdoor spaces, in a dense concrete jungle where there are just 5.8 m² of public green space per inhabitant.

Bring a book, a sandwich, or a friend and enjoy the ephemeral garden, free and open to the public on the plaza in front of Hotel de Ville until it vanishes July 12.

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