Urban Fun in the Sun: Paris Beach

Inaugurated in 2002, Paris Beach (or “Paris Plage” for you snooty types) is a month long event that transforms several spots in Paris into artificial beaches. Thousands of tons of sand are imported along with full size palm trees, beach chairs and chaise-lounges to create an asphalt “shoreline” abutting water that the French Ministry of Health says is unfit for swimming.  Designed by “urban scenographer” Jean-Christophe Choblet,  the concept seems a bit gauche, but those wacky French appear to love it.

All that sand atop concrete reminds me of giant cat litterbox – but I guess I am not as refined as the French.  This year’s “plage” just opened and will run until mid-August.  The brainchild of Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, well-known for launching ambitious municipal events, Paris Plage, was initially criticized by some has become a permanent fixture in the Parisian summertime scene.  If you go there for the people watching there will be plenty of Euro-centric speedos, but no South of France topless sunbathing or G-strings by city ordinance. Last year police handed out $48 fines for topless sunbathing, which risked riling Islamic sensibilities [via Bloomberg].