Did you know the banks of the Seine River and the Bassin de la Villette turn into a Parisian beach resort each summer? Ever since 2002, when Mayor Bertrand Delanoë launched the first “Paris Plages” for all of the Parisians who couldn’t join the annual exodus from the city for the summer, it has become a beloved annual event, free and open to everyone, copied by cities all over the world.
In this Article
The 24th Annual Paris Plages
The “beaches” of Paris Plages are back with a slightly reduced program for the 2026 season from July 4th through August 30th. This year it will only be in two locations: Rives de Seine (Central Paris along the Right Bank of the Seine) and Bassin de La Villette (northeast Paris). Like last year, there will be several spots along the Seine and the Canal St Martin open for swimming.
For the 24th edition of Paris Plages, the United States is the “honored” country (last summer it was Brazil) on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence. The US Embassy in Paris is in charge of the dedicated program of special events and activities surrounding this celebration, however as of July 4th, there’s nothing in the schedule of events or on site at Paris Plage that indicate this (didn’t see one US flag), and my contacts at City Hall said they were keeping the partnership “low key”.
Paris Plages – Rives de Seine
This is the “original” Paris Plages with its chaise lounges, palm trees, and water misters. Located on the historic quays in central Paris on the Right Bank (from Quai du Louvre to Quai Henri IV) this is now known as Les Berges or Parc Rives de Seine on the Right Bank. Although a bit crowded on sunny afternoons, this part of Paris Plages is ideal for lounging, DJ music sets (and dancing in the evenings), and beautiful views of Paris. Click to see full-sized images with captions:
There are grassy areas and wooden decks with sun loungers, some shaded, an area with misters to cool off, foosball tables (aka “babyfoot” in French, daily from 1-7pm), six pétanque courts, art expositions, a giant chess board (although the kid’s area wasn’t set up yet on opening day), Swedish Gym (Saturdays 10:30am-12:30pm and Mondays 6:30-8:30pm near Pont de Sully), tai chi (daily 10am-noon near Pont Neuf), play areas for kids, and a climbing wall through August 2nd between Pont Neuf and Pont au Change open daily 10am-8:30pm, all ages welcome, climbing shoes available. Back again in 2026, you’ll find the Salsa Dance Party every Sunday in July and August from 3-9pm in front of the Marcounet Péniche (Quai Hôtel de Ville). And all of these activities are 100% free!
Sprinkled throughout are different lounge chairs, picnic tables, al fresco cafés, and refreshment stands. The car-free quays are popular with runners, cyclists (who really need to slow down), and skaters of all ages as well as strolling beach bums, so watch your back (and your bags…yep, pickpockets).
Sadly, this year there’s no sand, no beach volleyball on the square in front of the Hôtel de Ville, nor the popular FNAC Live concert series, or the “Dolcevita-sur-Seine” open-air Italian cinéma festival (which has been moved to the Arènes de Lutèce in the 5th arrondissement).
Swimming in the Seine at Bras Marie
The only Seine swimming spot directly on Paris Plages, the Bras Marie site is at the foot of the Pont Louis-Philippe, facing the Ile-St-Louis. This year it has moved slightly closer to Hôtel de Ville from last year’s location and now has a solid structure protecting it from the boat traffic (similar to what you see in the images from the Bercy swim location below). That means it can remain open all day long. The press says you get to “swim with a view of Notre Dame”, but you’ll barely see the very top of the spire and towers. It’s usually the most crowded of all the swim spots, but on the sunny opening day there was no line.
- Open daily this year from 8am–6am, last entry 5:30pm (closed if weather or water conditions are bad, check here)
- Swim area: 50m/165ft x 20m/65ft
- Capacity: 150 people
- Open-air swimming zone marked off with buoys; river boat traffic is paused during swimming hours.
- You must be able to swim, be at least 14 years old, and be at least 1.40m/4.6ft tall. Lifeguards are on duty at all times. Everyone is provided with a flotation buoy you’re required to wear (attached by a belt around the waist).
- There are no individual changing rooms, so come in your bathing suit or swim shorts (swimming in street clothes isn’t allowed). Small lockers are available for your belongings.
- Showers – mandatory before swimming – are available, along with access to toilets, a first aid station, and areas to sunbathe.
Video: Heather Goes for a Swim on Opening Day 2025
This was the swimming area on the Seine at Paris Plages last summer, with just a line of buoys separating it from the boat traffic (this year’s is much more secure, if less scenic).
Two Other Swim Spots on the Seine
- Bras de Grenelle (Quai de Grenelle, 15th arrondissement) Near Île aux Cygnes with a view of the Eiffel Tower, this family-friendly site with a shallow swimming area (60m/197ft x 20m/65ft) has floating pontoons, a shaded solarium, and access to free kayaking nearby. It has a capacity of 200 people (150 in the water). There are lifeguards, showers, restrooms, changing areas, and lockers for your clothes. Open Mon–Fri and Sunday 10am–5:30pm; Sat 10am–4:45pm.
- Quai de Bercy (12th arrondissement) The largest swim area is located below Bercy Park across from the BnF (Mitterrand National Library) with a capacity for 700 people (300 in the water) has a solarium deck, changing rooms, restrooms, and a staffed first aid post. This is probably the least “photogenic” of the swimming areas, but you’re close to Bercy Village (next to Bercy Park) and the floating péniche bars across the river on the Quai François Mauriac (13th arrondissement), both popular hangouts for the locals. It has two fully-enclosed pools to separate swimmers from the boating traffic: one 35m/115ft x 12.5m/41ft and a second at 67m/220ft x 11m/36ft. Open daily 11am–9pm.
Eating & Drinking
Dining options rage from snack bars and ice cream stands to café barges and restaurants with terrace seating such as Les Maquereaux, Péniche Marcounet, and Les Nautes (near Pont de Sully). There are also food trucks in front of Hôtel de Ville, and plenty of places to picnic if you bring your own food/drink. Happily, there are also free public restrooms so you can stay hydrated without fear.
Paris Plages – Bassin de la Villette
The Bassin de la Villette is the widest section of the Canal St-Martin just outside the Parc de la Villette. This is the place to come to escape the biggest crowds on Paris Plage, and to take full advantage of water sports and swimming areas. Like the other Paris Plages site, there are lounge chairs, pétanque, foosball, snack bars and barge cafés, tai chi (weekends 10am-noon), and plenty of kids activities (including a free merry-go-round, trampolines, and a zipline across the canal, all daily from 1-7pm), although in a less picturesque scenery than you’ll find on the Seine (some areas are downright scruffy, if festive). Just like last year, there are first-aid classes by the Secours Populaire and lifeguarding workshops “Geste qui Sauve”.
Unlike the Paris Plages on the Seine, this one has no grassy or sand areas, and all of the chairs seem to be the foldable fabric and wood ones. There were also far fewer picnic tables specifically for Paris Plages, but the length of the Canal and Bassin de la Villette is pretty much always meant for picnics (happily there are water fountains and public restrooms at Paris Plages, which are lacking elsewhere along the water). Be careful if you’re there late at night (after midnight), when the atmosphere along the Canal gets a bit “too lively”.
Swimming & Water Sports on the Bassin de la Villette
There are four swimming areas right on the water at Quai de la Loire, open daily 11am-9pm (last year there was a one-hour break for cleaning 1-2pm, but that isn’t mentioned in this year’s info). You’ll find showers, lockers, bathrooms, and lounge chairs.
There are two shallow kiddie pools, a small pool that’s 1.2m/4ft deep and a larger pool for experienced swimmers that’s 2m/6.5ft deep. They’re free, but can only hold 500 swimmers. The pic above is one of the official photos on a sunny day. I took the photos below on a slightly cooler and overcast day a few moments after the pools just opened:
In the afternoons (1-7pm) you can rent paddle boats, kayaks, and inflatable spheres (for kids) for free. In addition to paddle boats, you can also see the electric boats available for rental year-round (in the photo below) from Akwa Experience.
Dancing Sessions at La Villette
From salsa and reggaeton to hip hop and folk dancing, this summer there will be free dance classes for anyone interested in joining the fun! Sunday through Thursday from 5-8pm, Friday-Saturday 6-9pm:
- Monday : Swing and roots jazz
- Tuesday : Rock dancing
- Wednesday : Latino fitness
- Thursday : Oriental dance
- Friday : Brazilian dance
- Saturday : Afro-Colombian rhythms
- Sunday : “Bal Popular” dancing
Swimming on the Canal Saint-Martin
Last year the banks of the Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement were transformed into the “Parisian Croisette” (in reference to the famous beach promenade in Cannes). Much smaller in scope than the other Paris Plages sites, it was still a nice place to relax, with deckchairs and parasols set up all along the canal, artisan ice cream stands, and photo exhibitions. Click the photos above to see full sized.
This year there’s only mention of the open swimming sessions in the Canal, when all boat traffic is temporarily paused. The access deck is located in front of the Centre Paris Anim’ Espace Jemmapes at 116 Quai de Jemmapes.
- Open every Sunday (2-6pm) from July 4th-September 6th (exceptionally open during the heatwave daily from 3-9pm through July 4th).
- The swimming capacity is limited to 300 people at a time.
- A lifeguard will be on duty, but the supervision of children under 10 years old and/or less than 1.20m/4ft tall is mandatory by an accompanying adult.
- Swimming attire is mandatory (swimming shorts permitted, street clothes are not).
- Free and accessible to all, there are also showers (required before and after swimming), changing rooms, and restrooms in the Centre Paris Anim’ Espace Jemmapes.
- In case of bad weather, health or safety risks, swimming will be canceled. Water quality is posted daily here (in French).
Some Rules & Advice
Parisians are actually pretty relaxed, so you can bring your dogs, your own food for a picnic, and even alcohol (unless you’re misbehaving). However (buzz kill alert): No topless bathing, g-string bikinis, or loud music allowed. Smoking is no longer permitted in public beaches and parks as of 2025, but as this is a new rule, it might not be widely respected. Note that no one is allowed to take photos of the children’s play area (there are signs); in fact, just don’t take photos of any kids that aren’t your own.
Finally, be careful of pickpockets (like at any public beach), don’t forget your sunglasses, and get there early if you want a good spot!
Practical Info
Free entry. Open daily July 4th through August 30th, from 10am-6:30pm (until 8pm at La Villette). Free restrooms and water fountains throughout (tissues and a reusable water bottle recommended). There are info kiosks at both Paris Plages sites and orange-shirted “Plagistes” strolling the grounds if you need directions. The official Paris Plages information website is only in French, but anything I thought might be interesting to English-speaking visitors is here.
More on Paris Plages
- Relaxing at Paris Plages while Gearing up for the Rentrée: commentary on the “Back-to-School” mood in Paris by Scott Carpenter
- The Seine before Paris Plages: historic photos of the Seine River