Reading by the riverside at the outdoor library is the most comfortable
A clown entertaining on the Paris beaches
Various summer outdoor sports and concerts in front of the government buildings in Paris - this is a children's boxing ring

Text and photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang. This year’s Paris Plages ran from July 20 to August 20, having become the most popular recreational carnival during the capital’s summer holidays. Especially in the midst of the global financial crisis this year, many people could not leave the city for vacation; according to social polls, one-third of French people were unable or unwilling to travel abroad. Thus, the sunny banks of the Seine—Paris Plages—became a space for Parisians staying in the city and a venue for tourists from around the world to joyfully participate in the grand event. Today, Paris Plages has become a major tourist destination during the summer. Whether strolling, wandering, taking walks, killing time, sunbathing, or simply enjoying the lively atmosphere, all are up to individual preference. Sharing in the intense summer ambiance of Paris brings great delight.

Every year, Paris Plages stretches from the center of the city (from the Passerelle des Arts near the Institut de France down to the Pont de Sully). Additionally, the watery basin of Villette in northern Paris also transforms into a leisure beach and water park. For the entire month, as usual, people can freely stroll and relax in this beautiful setting, enjoying unique scenery, sand, and sunshine: watching passing crowds and barge-flyers on the Seine, practicing Tai Chi, learning dance, attending concerts, rowing boats, playing in the water, dancing under trees, playing traditional French pétanque, or lying under large trees daydreaming. There is also the outdoor library by the riverbank for leisurely reading, among other things. Children play at the beach, go boating, swim, and rock climb. Furthermore, there are special storytellers for kids, clowns providing entertainment, and all these free activities. Every year, it attracts thousands of locals and distant tourists. Paris constantly invites people to savor its unique temperament and feast through various arts and cultural events, leaving visitors lingering with no desire to leave.