Sunday's picture and a song - Paris Plages on a Saturday

Vamos a la Playa! After weeks of grey skies and rainy weather, Parisians put on their flip flops and swimsuits and headed to the beach this morning. They didn't have to travel far because the city of Paris has been creating an artificial beach along the Seine for its residents and guests since 2002. With deck chairs, ice cream vendors, bands, street performers and the smell of suntan lotion in the air, Stéphane and I felt as if we had been magically transported to a seaside locale.

To enhance the illusion, here's the song that used to blast from the speakers of our little Fiat Uno as we whizzed along the highway from Switzerland to the beaches of Italy, Monaco or France. Listening to it now, I realize that it's not a great song. But in those days, it was synonymous with freedom. No work, no worries...just long luxurious hours spent relaxing on the beach. 

Please click here for additional information about Paris Plages in English. Both the beach along the Seine and at the Bassin de la Villette offer free activities, such as Tai-chi classes, ballroom dancing in the evenings, pedal boots, boules and more. Paris Plages runs from July 20 - August 19, 2012.



Playing in the mist.




Comments

  1. Great shots Mary Kay! If it's nice tomorrow, we might go check it out. If not I'll have to wait until I get back from the States mid-August but luckily I'll be able to catch it!

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    1. Thanks, Kristen! When you have a chance, check out the beach at the Bassin de Villette. A lot of people seem to prefer that one over the plage along the Seine. I just haven't had a chance to get there yet.

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  2. Three years in Paris and I still have yet to experience Paris Plages!! And I think, we're going on another plage-less summer! It looks so much more fun than I imagined. Like Kristen, I hope I catch it when I'm back in August! If not I'll have to wait another year!

    Enjoy the sun! : )

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    1. You haven't been to Paris Plages?!? Mlle Ella, you need to take your rubber duck entourage for a fun day at the beach! The Bassin de la Villette is supposed to be really good as well. There are even paddle boats!

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    2. Nope because no one ever wanted to go with me and I kept pushing going alone until it was too late. And before I knew it, it was la rentree...back to life again! Hopefully I'll catch it this year. Your photos are certainly making me want to go!

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  3. Love it Mary Kay!
    Great shots. Not enough to see them dumping the sand.
    I must see the finished plage a toute a suite
    merci carolg

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    1. Thanks, Carol! If you like Tai chi or dancing, be sure to pick up one the schedules listing all of the activities. There's a lot to do at Paris Plages.

      I hope that you'll feel inspired by the beach and that some of your future work will include a blue umbrella next to the Seine! ;)

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  4. Love the photos! You've really captured the essence of Paris Plage.

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    1. I just wish that I could add the smell of suntan lotion and the feel of sand between your toes to this post...then I would really feel as if I had captured the essence of Paris Plages!

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  5. If that song is stuck in my head today, I'm going to make you pay! I can see how much fun it would be though to be rolling down the road with it playing, singing along, heading to the beach. Vamos a la playa!

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    1. No doubt about it - "Vamos a la Playa" is one of those insidious songs that is sure to get stuck in your head. Sorry, it should have come with a warning. But that's one of the reasons why it was so fun listening to it while driving to the beach. We could belt out the same line, "Vamos a la Playa" over and over again as we got closer to the sea. And believe me, there's nothing like the sight of the sparkling Mediterranean after a long Swiss winter.

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