Bringing the beach to the people

PARIS — Since July 20, the banks and motorways bordering the Seine River and the Bassin de la Villette in Paris have undergone a drastic transformation. A total of 1,350 tons of sand, 250 sun umbrellas and 50 palm trees, among a myriad other beach-like items, have been poured and perched beside these channels of water as a part of the annual Paris Plages, or Paris Beaches.

This year is anticipated to be the event’s biggest success yet. Given the recent global economic landscape and the frequency with which “la crise,” or crisis, is uttered these days, the idea of bringing the beach to the people instead of the people to the beach may be a welcome relief from financial strains. “For more than 30 days those who cannot leave Paris for vacation will experience Paris differently. Paris Plages transforms the capital into a seaside resort with sand beaches and aquatic activities, artist workshops, sports and concerts for those of all ages,” the mayor’s office announced near the start of the event.

Since its debut in 2002, Paris Plage has attracted tens of thousands of locals and tourists to sun bathe and swim at the edge of the Seine. Normally the site of some of Paris’ most congested and vital arteries, traffic has been diverted from the area until Aug. 20, in order to make room for beach towels and chairs. Despite the event’s past success, it was often frowned upon by locals who preferred trips to the South of France or abroad.

Camille Radot, 24, born and raised in Paris, has never been to Paris Plages and at first joked about the concept before explaining his point of view.

“The Parisian scene is a wealthy one, and they’re the ones who leave on vacation. Parisians don’t go to Paris Plage,” said Radot, arguing the event enjoyed more visitors from the outskirts of the city, than from the city itself.

However, those at the event offered a contrasting point of view, one that suggests that Parisians’ distaste for the event may be evolving.

“I had apprehensions about Paris Plages,” said Noura Mobarek, 26, who sat in the sand on the banks of the Seine. Last year was her first experience with the event, and she said prior to that she found, like Radot, the idea of a beach on the Seine bizarre.

“I think that this year there will be more participants because there are more people who can’t leave on vacation. I find that the cost of life is becoming more and more expensive. I didn’t go on vacation,” she said. The city of Paris anticipates much the same as Mobarek. Although other urban centers that host similar beach events, such as Brussels and Berlin, have reported no noticeable difference in participation from previous years, Paris has prepared itself for a “Summer of solidarity,” as this year’s Paris Plages has been titled, against the effects of the crisis.

“We have anticipated this need, and the numbers tell us that more than half of French people will not leave on vacation this summer,” said the event’s spokeswoman, Krystel Lessard.

Lessard said that although it is too early to confirm with numbers, she thought this year’s event would experience more participants due to the crisis. “In any case, there are testimonies that confirm that there are people coming for the first time to Paris Plages this summer because they can’t leave at all on vacation.”

On a recent warm but overcast day, Akila Lamouchi sat alone on her beach towel facing the greenish water of the Seine.

“In previous years, I’ve left on vacation during the summer, to the sea,” she said softly. “This year I can’t go, because I prefer to send my son on vacation and it was too expensive [for both of us.]”

On her first visit to Paris Plages, Lamouchi said she was happy to find that it was clean despite the crowds. She was attracted to the event because access to the beaches is free, and the temporary restaurants, food shops and ice cream stores were inexpensive and conveniently located.

“Since I can’t leave on vacation, it’s nice to take in a little sun,” Lamouchi said. “However, I prefer to leave.”