Paris Plages

Paris Plages: When the Seine Becomes the Riviera

Launched in 2002 by the Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë, Paris Plages was born from a bold idea: to offer Parisians who do not go on vacation a space for leisure, relaxation, and coolness in the heart of the city, by transforming the riverside roads into a free urban beach. What could have remained an experiment has, in over twenty years, become one of the most popular summer events in the capital, imitated by dozens of cities around the world.

From the Banks of the Seine to the Villette Canal Basin

Over the editions, Paris Plages has expanded considerably. The operation now occupies several sites:

• The Parc Rives de Seine, on the right bank, with its sandy beaches, deckchairs, misting stations, and play areas.
• The Villette canal basin (19th arrondissement), with its supervised swimming, water activities (canoeing, paddleboarding, pedal boating), and sports and cultural events.
• The Hôtel-de-Ville square, transformed into a recreational and sports area.

Since 2025, a historic milestone has been reached with the opening of three supervised swimming areas in the Seine: at Bras Marie (Paris Centre), Pont de Grenelle (15th arrondissement), and Quai de Bercy (12th arrondissement), fulfilling a dream of several decades.

A Rich and Free Program

Paris Plages is not just about deckchairs and sand. Each edition offers a dense cultural and sports program: open-air concerts, cinema under the stars, DJ sets, creative workshops, fitness classes, yoga, dance, tai chi, activities for children, sports courses, tournaments, and themed events. Each year, a country or theme is highlighted: in 2025, it was Brazil as part of the France-Brazil Season; in 2026, the United States for the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

A Popular and Unifying Event

With several million visitors each summer, Paris Plages has become a symbol of the City of Paris's quality of life policy and the reconquest of public spaces. The operation is entirely free, accessible to all, and contributes to transforming Parisians' relationship with their river and their city.