In the Light of the Paris Sun and Moon
With the summer comes lots of things to do outdoors in Paris. And with beautiful Paris as the backdrop, what more heavenly a stage could be set for just about any activity?
Naturally, those cafés and restaurants which have the capability, open their windows and doors to spill their tables onto the sidewalks and “places” so that you can dine and drink casually in the warm air. Those that are on the sunny side of the street do best when the weather is cooler but sunny, and those on the shady side of the street profit when it’s on the warmer side. Either way, you have your choice.
Scroll Down to Read on..
The cafés and restaurants are not the only outdoor entertainment Paris has to offer during the summer season. Leave your apartments and hotel rooms behind and head for the streets.
From TODAY until August 20th, head for the beach! Paris Plages, all three of them, open for ‘business,’ closing off the riverside thoroughfares to become sandy beaches, green lawns, sporting courts, swimming pools, refreshment stands and pedestrian walks
From the Louvre to Pont de Sully was the first and most ‘classic’ beach spanning three kilometers featuring a swimming pool, concert stage, and open-air attractions such as rollerblading, tai-chi, wall climbing, boules, etc. and areas for refreshment, play and whiling away the time in deck chairs by the river.
Port de la Gare is at the foot of the Bibliothèque Nationale François Mitterrand Library and near the floating j2999éphine Baker “Piscine sur Seine.” in the 13th arrondissement. It is promoted as the “intellectual” beach escape with free newspapers, books on loan, a café and wi-fi hotspot, and art classes. The boats moored by the banks of the Seine offer a variety of musical shows in the evenings.
The Bassin de la Villette is the latest addition to Paris Plages, having opened in 2007 in the 19th district. It stretches from Rotonde de Ledoux (near Jaurès Métro station) to the former Magasins Généraux (in rue de Crimée) and focuses on water sports — row boats, kayaks, pedal boats and dinghies alongside the quaint restaurants and boules courts along the quay of the basin.
The beaches are open all day from 8 a.m. to midnight, free of course!
Find more information on Paris Plages (in English), visit: http://www.paris.fr/
The Paris Jazz Festival at the Parc Floral is winding down this week, ending next Sunday, with Bumcello and guest performer Nathalie Natiembé, then the Erik Truffaz Quartet with guest performer Christophe. If you will miss it, the garden still has lots to offer. Visit for information in English: http://parisjazzfestival2009.net/
But no worry about lacking music! The FNAC is putting on free concerts under their “Festival Fnac Indétendances” in association with Paris Plages during the first three weekends of August on the “parvis” of the Hôtel de Ville.
For the full program, visit: http://www.fnac.com/
Head for the movies under the stars at La Villette from now until August 16th during the “Cinéma en Plein Air” 19th edition. Take your picnic baskets and blankets and find your spot on the grass (or rent chairs there) to watch your favorite films just as the sun sets on a big inflatable screen.
The entire program is noted at http://www.villette.com/fr/
And if you haven’t had enough fun films, the Forum des Images brings you “Cinéma au Clair de Lune” August 5th through 23rd with an assortment of classic French films set in appropriate locations also on a big inflatable screen. My favorite is “Les Trois Mousquetaires” which will be shown at the Place des Vosges. Everyone is welcome to join me there!
For more information, visit:
http://www.forumdesimages.com/
And for something really special, mark your calendar for September 11th through 15th for dinner in the Tuileries Gardens sponsored by the magazine “Cuisine Créative” to taste a gastronomic wonder by 11 Michelin starred chefs, the chefs of the Elysées and drinks by the barman from the Ritz Hotel. Two lunches and three dinners will be served each day…but, by no means is it free!
Pawn your first born to pay the 924€ per person for a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience, 846€ for a tasting of cocktails, or 1,400€ for dinner by the chefs of the Elysées. One hundred euros per person goes toward the Fédération des Maladies Orphelines…so you can at least deduct this from your taxes as a charitable contribution!!
For more information, visit: http://www.chefdecuisinemagazine.com/
So, while you’re sipping on a cool drink at an outdoor café, make a list of all the other things you’re going to do, using Paris as your ‘stage,’ and your friends as the ‘players’ to create your real live scene under the sun and moon in the world’s most beautiful city.
A la prochaine…
Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris
Share this article with a friend...
Respond to Adrian
P.S. There will be no Parler Paris Nouvellettre® sent to you July 27 or 29 while I take a ‘real’ vacation. That week, your letters may not be answered for which I apologize in advance, but not to fear, we’ll be back soon enough with plenty more about Summer in the City of Light.
P.P.S. “Le Palace des Vosges” is almost ready for occupancy by its owners and rental guests. To learn more for purchase of your share, visit http://www.palacedesvosges.com or email [email protected] to learn when it might be available for a short stay.
To read more, click the links below.