Paris Plages close after huge success
The heatwave and the credit crunch combined to make the Paris Plages an exceptional success this summer
THE hugely successful Paris Plages closes tonight after an exceptionally busy season which allowed many Parisiens to enjoy the beach without leaving the city.
As temperatures hit 38C yesterday there were no spaces left under the parasols on the Georges Pompidou expressway and Bassin de la Villette and the areas under the Seine bridges were packed with people enjoying the shade.
Good weather has helped make the event a success and it boosted the thousands of Parisians who could not afford a holiday because of the credit crunch this year – so enjoyed a “staycation” instead.
It is estimated one child in three did not go away on holiday so the Paris Plages struck a chord – especially with free drinks, ice cream at €1 and menus at €10 for adults and €7.50 for kids.
The beaches have been open since July 20 and sideshows have included music by Amadou et Mariam, Charlie Winston and Cirkus with Neneh Cherry.
Afro-Antilles music will mark the closure with the group Difé Kako playing between the Tuileries and Sully until 20.00 when the gates will close and the clear-up begins.
Then the 1,350 tonnes of sand will be transported by barge down the Seine to the port of Grenelle where it will be re-used as building sand.
Photo: Mairie de Paris
