Free pop-up beaches and natural swimming areas reopen in Paris for the summer
Sites will be accessible from this weekend with several located along the River Seine
Paris Plages will be hosting pop-up beach sites at the Parc Rives de Seine and the Bassin de la Villette
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Natural swimming areas and pop-up beaches are set to open in Paris for a period of two months this summer, offering visitors a free refreshing dip without travelling to the seaside.
From July 4 - August 30, Paris Plages (Paris Beaches) and Paris en Seine (Paris on Seine) sites will be free to access and open every day.
Note that water and weather conditions are analysed daily to ensure it is safe to swim.
Paris Plages
Paris Plages will be back again at the Parc Rives de Seine, and the Bassin de la Villette, complete with beach huts, sun loungers and palm trees.
Parc Rives de Seine
This site stretches along the banks of the Seine, from the Tunnel des Tuileries (1st arrondissement) to the Pont Sully (4th arrondissement), offering pétanque courts and a selection of organised activities including Tai Chi and table football.
Visitors can go swimming in the river at the Bras Marie site (also a Paris en Seine site - see below), situated at the foot of the Pont Louis-Philippe, open daily from 08:00-18:00.
Up to 150 people can use the natural swimming area at once, however visitors must be at least 1m20 tall and under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
Do not forget to bring a euro coin if you want to use a locker to store your belongings.
Bassin de la Villette
The Bassin de la Villette (19th arrondissement) is the largest artificial body of water in Paris, linking the Canal de l’Ourcq to the Canal Saint-Martin.
Four natural swimming sites varying depths can welcome up to 200 people at once.
Several activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, zip-lining and dance classes are on offer around the Bassin throughout the summer.
Showers and changing rooms are available and the site also has a kids’ club.
More natural swimming areas as part of Paris en Seine
The following sites offer the opportunity to swim in the River Seine, however they do not have pop-up beaches or events like the Paris Plages sites.
Note that part of Paris’ Canal Saint-Martin opened as a supervised swimming area during the latest heatwave.
The Canal is still listed as a Paris en Seine site, however information surrounding permitted opening hours throughout the summer is yet to be confirmed.
Alongside Bras Marie (see above), sites near Bercy and Grenelle are also reopening to the public.
Bercy
The site in Bercy (12th arrondissement) is located opposite the Bibliothèque nationale de France, on either side of the Simone-de-Beauvoir footbridge, just below Bercy Park.
It includes two pools and a sun deck, split by a barrier from a boating area. Amenities will include showers, lockers and a first aid station.
Opening hours:
11:00-21:00 every day
Capacity: 600 people
Two pools: 35 x 12.5m and 67 x 11m
Accessible to those with reduced mobility
Grenelle
Close to the Eiffel Tower (15th arrondissement), the Grenelle pool is based around large pontoons with a sun deck.
The site has a secure pool for families and children and an adjoining site offers free kayaking.
Services will include changing rooms, lockers, showers and a first aid station.
Opening hours:
10:00-17:30 Monday-Friday
10:00-16:45 Saturdays
10:00-12:00 / 12:30-14:15 / 14:45-17:30 on Sundays
Capacity: 200 people, including 150 people in the swimming area
Swimming area 60 x 20m
Accessible to those with reduced mobility
