Good news for Parisians and visitors who have grown accustomed to roadways and sidewalks along the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette turning every summer into sandy stretches of urban beach. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced that they will open after all this year.
She told local radio interviewers that “Many Parisians will not got on holiday this year. Many visitors might come to Paris, especially visitors from other French regions rather than abroad, and we really want to welcome them, and keep this festive spirit up in Paris.”
Although they will be subject to health and social distancing rules, there will again be food concessionaires, game courts and, centerpiece of the scheme, floating swimming pools. The season will run from July 18 through late August.
