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# Paris Plages: The Summer Beaches on the Seine and the Canal

When the summer beaches open, where they are, how swimming in the canal and the Seine works, and what to bring

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By Finzi

Paris Plages is the city’s summer beach program. Every year since 2002, parts of the riverbanks and the canal turn into a holiday zone with deck chairs, parasols, games and free activities. In recent years, it has also become a place to swim, first in pools set into the Bassin de la Villette and, since 2025, in the Seine itself.

Paris Plages is free, informal and popular with locals who stay in the city during the summer. It is not a real beach holiday, and nobody expects it to be. It is a relaxed way to spend an afternoon outside, close to the center. This guide explains when Paris Plages runs, where to go, how the swimming sites work and how to plan a visit.

# When Paris Plages takes place

Paris Plages runs for about eight weeks in high summer. In 2026, the program ran from 4 July to 30 August. The dates are usually similar each year, starting in early July and ending in late August. The city announces the exact dates and program in late spring or early summer on paris.fr.

The summer swimming sites in the Seine follow roughly the same calendar. They open daily during the season, but only when water quality and river conditions allow.

Outside July and August, the riverbanks return to their normal use as walking and cycling paths. The Bassin de la Villette pools are seasonal too.

# The main sites

Paris Plages is spread over several locations. The two main areas are:

Some summers also include smaller sites or events in other parts of the city. The program changes from year to year, so check the current list before you go.

# Getting to the Paris Plages sites

Both main areas are easy to reach by public transport:

Cycling is a good option too. The riverside paths and the canal quays have bike lanes, and there are Vélib stations near every site.

# A short history of Paris Plages

The first Paris Plages opened in 2002 on a stretch of the Right Bank expressway, closed to cars for the summer. Sand, palm trees and deck chairs turned the road into a temporary beach. The idea was to give Parisians who could not leave town a taste of a holiday.

The concept grew over the years. The Bassin de la Villette joined the program, and the riverside expressway later closed to cars for good, becoming the Parc Rives de Seine. Swimming came next, first in the canal and then in the Seine.

# Swimming at the Bassin de la Villette

Since 2017, the city has set up outdoor pools inside the Bassin de la Villette each summer. The canal water is tested regularly, and the pools are supervised by lifeguards.

What to know:

Children must be with an adult, and age or height rules may apply to the deeper areas. Check the conditions at the entrance.

# Swimming in the Seine

Swimming in the Seine was banned for about a century. After a major cleanup program linked to the Paris 2024 Olympics, the city opened three supervised swimming sites in the river in summer 2025. They returned in 2026.

The three sites are:

How the Seine sites work:

Before going, check the city’s website or app for the day’s status. A site that was open yesterday may be closed today.

# What else happens at Paris Plages

Paris Plages is not only about swimming. Typical activities include:

Most activities are free. A few, such as boat rentals, have a charge.

# What to bring and practical tips

A day at Paris Plages is easy to plan, but a few things help:

Heat can be intense in Paris in July and August, with heatwaves becoming more frequent. The guide to summer heat and Paris photoshoots gives sensible advice on timing outdoor plans around the hottest hours, which applies to any summer day out.

# Visiting with children

Paris Plages is a good free day out for families. The canal pools have shallow areas, and the riverside has games and space to play.

A few tips for families:

# Paris in summer beyond the beaches

Paris Plages is one part of a busy summer in the city. Other free events often take place at the same time, such as the open-air cinema at the Parc de la Villette and concerts in parks.

Summer is also the season when many Parisians leave for holidays, especially in August. Some small shops and restaurants close for a few weeks, while the main sights stay open and busy with visitors.

The guide on what to wear for a Paris photoshoot in summer includes practical tips on light fabrics and colors that stay comfortable in the heat, useful for any day spent outdoors in July and August.

# Quick answers

When is Paris Plages? Usually from early July to late August. In 2026, it ran from 4 July to 30 August.

Where is Paris Plages? Mainly on the Parc Rives de Seine on the Right Bank and at the Bassin de la Villette in the 19th.

Can you swim at Paris Plages? Yes, in the supervised pools at the Bassin de la Villette and at three sites in the Seine, when conditions allow.

Is it free? Yes. Entry, deck chairs and swimming are free. Some activities, like boat rental, cost extra.

Is swimming in the Seine safe? The sites are supervised, and the water is tested daily. They close when quality or conditions are not good enough.

# Sources

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