This week, with the arrival—finally—of the sun, Paris is transforming its quays into beaches, and the capital is taking on the appearance of a seaside resort.

Paris Plages has therefore been set up on the city’s quays since July 20th and will run until August 19th, 2012, with opening hours from 8:00 AM to midnight.

On the agenda are many free activities offered throughout the summer: cultural, fun, and sports events, with a wide range of water leisure activities.

This 11th edition will be a bit special because, due to construction on the Voie Georges-Pompidou, the event will be concentrated this year on the banks of the Seine between the Tuileries and the Pont d’Arcole, and some attractions will migrate to the Bassin de la Villette.

Voie Georges Pompidou

The very large beach, bordered by wooden waves, is taking over the quays again with its multitude of deckchairs, blue umbrellas, and pennants. In this setting, attractions like pétanque courts, table football, the ephemeral library, or ice cream parlors will definitely be there.

On the program:

• A mist garden
• The ephemeral Flammarion library with some 300 books drawn from various collections. Quai de la Mégisserie from 11 AM to 7 PM.
• Activities on the theme of biodiversity as well as workshops for young audiences with the “Aide et Action” association. Pont de Notre-Dame from 10 AM to 6 PM.
• BaladEnigm, an ephemeral and free walking tour at the Paris Plages site and surroundings, dotted with challenges to overcome, riddles to solve, or treasures to find. Below the Quai de l’Hôtel de Ville from 11 AM to 8 PM.
• Tai Chi classes below the Quai du Louvre from 10 AM to 12 PM, and ballroom dancing from 5 PM to 8 PM. No registration required.
• The Ludo Plage for 3-6 year olds at the Pont au Change from 1 PM to 8 PM.
• A boules court on the Quai de la Mégisserie every day from 10 AM to midnight.
• A table football area at the foot of the Pont Neuf from 1 PM to 8 PM.
• Eau de Paris provides the public with two carbonation machines, an opportunity to enjoy delicious cocktails, plus a free City of Paris water stand with syrup distribution. Pont Notre-Dame from 12 PM to 8 PM.
• Restaurant, snack bar, and ice cream parlors will also be present.

Bassin de la Villette

Along the Quai de Loire and Quai de Seine, the Paris Plages classics will also be present: sandy beach, snack bar, pétanque courts…

• A marina will be the meeting point for fans of rowboats, rowing, canoeing, pedal boats, and “Rollers tubes” (amazing spheres on the water), every day from 1 PM to 8 PM on the Quai de la Loire.
• The Dragon boat, that big canoe with a dragon’s head at the bow, is back. At the Nautical Base, 41 bis Quai de la Loire, from 1 PM to 8 PM.
• The minigolf ATOOVA with a course set up on the Quai de Seine that will look like a miniature version of the Ile-de-France region, punctuated by nine of its iconic monuments. Quai de Seine from 10 AM to 7 PM and until 9 PM on Thursdays.
• A dirt track reserved for mountain bikers to learn the basics of “dirt biking”.
• The Rotonde, which should host concerts by the best subway musicians at the end of the day.
• Universcience, which transforms Paris Plages into an experimental field for children. Quai de Seine from Tuesday to Sunday from 1 PM to 7:30 PM.
• The McDo Kids Sports: McDonald’s will install a mini Olympic village on the banks of the basin, open to children aged 5 to 12. Quai de Loire from August 1st to 4th from 10:30 AM to 7 PM.
• The Dirt circuit where children aged 8 and up can ride one of the 25 BMX bikes available to them. Quai de Loire from 1 PM to 8 PM.
• Bite into a fruit with six workshops to learn how to draw an apple, a cabbage, or a fruit basket. Open to all audiences, sessions are accessible by registering on-site on the day. Quai de Seine, from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM.
• The Boules Court, eight courts await the many pétanque fans on the Quai de Seine every day from 10 AM to midnight.
• Table Football on the Quai de Seine every day from 1 PM to 8 PM.
• Tai Chi (10 AM to 12 PM) and ballroom dancing (5 PM to 8 PM) classes on the Quai de Seine floor.
• The Electric Mobility Area will be present at Paris Plages to provide advice on these environmentally friendly modes of transport and offer trials of different types of vehicles, loaned by its partners. Quai de Seine on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (except August 15th), from 12 PM to 7 PM.
• Show “The Imaginary Invalid” on the Bassin de la Villette, August 15th, 16th, and 17th at 9 PM. The show performed by the La Drôlesse company will take place on a barge anchored in the basin.
• Activities around nutrition through the “Paris health nutrition” program aimed at the youngest and their families. From July 20th to August 19th, during the day and in the evening.
• Paris Jeunes Area to discover all the resources dedicated to youth, such as the “Youth Kiosk,” which helps find affordable cultural outing ideas (invitations or preferential rates), or the Youth Antennae, which help with studies, housing, employment, or health throughout the year. Quai de la Loire from 3 PM to 7 PM.
• River shuttles leave the basin every thirty minutes for Pantin and Bobigny. Every weekend until August 26th.