Paris-Plages

Paris -Plage ( German: Paris - beach ) until the mid -1960s, the name of a beach in the town of Le Touquet- Paris -Plage. The beach was given this name due to its relative proximity to the French capital Paris and the Paris' many that you could find there on the weekends during the summer months.

Paris -Plage is today a public summer attraction, which is organized by the city of Paris since 2002. It takes place annually in the months of July and August during the French national summer vacation for 4-5 weeks instead. Since 2006, there are two sections on the Seine, which are used, so the official name is now "Paris Plages " is ( plural).

Location and layout

The place d' Hôtel de Ville is covered with sand and created a number of beach volleyball courts. On the right bank of the Seine at the level of the Seine islands Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint -Louis analysis covers direct adjoining the quay walls highway Voie George Pompidou is locked to 3.5 km for the traffic. It is possible to block these important arterial road, as only a very reduced volume of traffic in the city is available during major holidays. The section between Pont au change to Pont Sully over the Seine Islands in the 4th arrondissement is transformed into a pedestrian zone with its many attractions. Some green strips are covered with fine sand, in many places beds are provided, there are games for children, massage and music together and also offered for soft drinks are provided. It should be noted that swimming in the Seine because of the high level piers and ship traffic is not possible. Since 2006 there is also on the left bank of the Seine at the height of the new National Library BNF some installations.

Formation

Pioneer for such action was the French town of Saint -Quentin in the Aisne department in 1996. Social problems a portion of the 60,000 residents had persuaded the city council to transform the Town Hall Square in a sandy beach with games and basins. This action has since become an annual attraction. In 2002, this action was taken in the media and some other French and some European cities such as Berlin, Brussels, Budapest and Prague also performed in Paris and; but not over such a long stretch of the river.

Objective

While the national summer holidays in France in the months of July and August, especially after the French national holiday on July 14, traditionally traveling much of the population of Paris on vacation, at least to the countryside to escape the summer heat in the city. The aim of the municipality of Paris under mayor Bertrand Delanoë was there, with this action, the activities on offer at home to remaining inhabitants of the region, which can be normally found only on the natural beaches.

Financing

The event Paris -Plages is associated with significant cost to the public budget of the city: The interior of the artificial beach landscape with palm trees and other plants, installation of sporting activities such as rock climbing for children and the many entertainers have to be paid. To keep costs at a manageable level, the city of Paris shares the costs with public and private sponsors, who also benefit from the popularity of the event. In 2004, the total budget was around € 2 million, of which € 1.4 million were financed by the partners and by the funds of the installed place on the shore cafes, restaurants and kiosks. From conservative city councils in 2002, concerns were expressed in years, whether this event is with their relatively high costs lead to success.

Individual events

2002

Paris -Plages has its premiere during major holidays.

2003

There are almost 3 million visitors. During the exceptional heat wave in early August 2003, the newly installed atomizer were a great success with the visitors. It is a wayside installed, usually several meters long, similar to a shower installation, under which one can go through in order to refresh yourself. Instead of a water jet, there are finely atomized water so that you can enjoy the refreshing even in normal clothes without getting wet.

2004

Paris -Plages 2004 took place between 21 July and 20 August. News this year was a converted to a floating swimming pool boat on the Seine at the level of the metro station Sully Morland, but in which one can hardly swim due to its small size, and a library at the level of the Metro station Pont Marie.

On the lines of public transport RATP, the access points for the first time in Paris -Plage ( Paris -Plage station in the Paris Metro).

2005

Paris -Plages 2005 took place from 21 July to 21 August. In honor of the Brazilian year in France, this subject was the common thread in the events. Every morning were offered introductions to rowing. The number of visitors was estimated at 3.8 million.

2006

Paris -Plages 2006 took place from July 20 to August 20. The theme was French Polynesia. In addition to the known locations in the town square and right of the Seine was a further shore section opens " rive gauche " left the Seine at the level of the Bibliothèque nationale de France, directly below the new, on 13 July 2006 opened footbridge Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir. There was a large wooden platform with a few dozen chairs, a beach bar and access to a further floating swimming pool, which was stationed on the Seine. A ferry service operates between the two banks of the Paris -Plages.

Similar offerings elsewhere

Similar offers are available during the summer months in Berlin, Brive- la -Gaillarde ( Corrèze Depart. ), Brussels, Budapest, Cahors, Clermont- Ferrand, Cognac in the Charente, Metz, Pau, Rodez ( Aveyron Depart. ), Saint- Quentin ( original idea ), Toulouse, Tourcoing ( Nord Depart. at Roubaix )