Paris Plage opens with €1 ice creams

THE eighth annual Paris Plage has opened along the Seine between the Tuileries Gardens and the Henri IV Bridge and at the man-made Bassin de la Villette in the northeast of the city.

More than 2,000 tonnes of sand has been laid on the Bank expressway along the Seine to make a beach for Parisiens who cannot take a holiday this summer.

The plages have play areas with water-games for children, ping-pong tables and petanque courts. There will also be fencing, table tennis and exercise bikes plus tai chi and back massages. The Bassin will also host windsurfing, rowing boats and pedalos.

This year the authorities are also keeping down the cost of refreshments: ice creams will cost no more than €1.

City authorities say the event is targeted at low-income families in a "context of socio-economic hardship" and more than four million will enjoy the seventh annual free event - with only about 15% are expected to be tourists.

Paris Plage will close on August 20.
Photo: Mairie de Paris