Fancy a spot of reading on a deckchair by the water’s edge? No need to travel miles: from 4 July to 30 August 2026, Paris turns into a beach! Launched in 2002, the Paris Plages event offers Parisians and visitors free access to relaxation and leisure areas during the summer heat. Cool lawns, parasols, deckchairs, palm trees, cultural and sporting activities, as well as swimming: everything you need to cool off and make the most of the fine weather.
Previously held only on the right bank of the Seine, the event now extends to the Parc Rives de Seine and the Bassin de la Villette, as well as the Canal Saint-Martin. For this 2026 edition, the capital is showcasing its seaside charm whilst further greening its leisure and relaxation areas, with a programme inspired by the United States to mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Paris Plages 2026 will take over both the Left Bank and the Right Bank to offer everyone a unique summer experience. The programme will be updated regularly, so check back often to discover what’s new!
Paris Plages 2026 celebrates the 250th anniversary of American Independence as part of the America250 programme, marking two and a half centuries of Franco-American friendship.
Throughout the summer, the banks of the Seine will be decked out in the colours of the United States for a programme packed with sporting, cultural and festive events.
From Saturday 4 July 2026, come and try a free taster session of Flag Football on the Promenade Édouard Glissant, opposite the Musée d’Orsay. This sport, which is set to make its debut on the Olympic programme at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, is being offered in partnership with the French American Football Federation (FFFA). Open to all with no booking required, this event marks the kick-off of a summer dedicated to transatlantic friendship.
A variety of activities celebrating Franco-American friendship will take place at the various Paris Plages sites throughout the season:
The summer of 2026 continues the momentum begun in 2025 in reclaiming the River Seine. A direct legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, swimming in Paris in summer 2026 is now an established part of the capital’s summer routine, with eleven free, supervised sites, including three set up directly on the Seine. This development transforms the quays into genuine water-based leisure spots accessible to all.
From 4 July 2026, three natural swimming areas will open free of charge on the Seine, each with its own unique character. The Bras Marie/Louis-Philippe site (4th arrondissement), situated beneath the bridge of the same name in the heart of historic Paris opposite Île Saint-Louis, offers an exceptional setting for swimmers. In Bercy (12th arrondissement), two pools can accommodate up to 700 people at a time, beneath the Simone-de-Beauvoir footbridge and a breathtaking view of the François-Mitterrand Library. Finally, the Bras de Grenelle (Paris 15th arrondissement), opposite the Parisian Statue of Liberty, features jetties and a safe, shallow pool (40 to 60 cm), ideal for families with children.
These three sites, open every day subject to weather conditions and water quality, are supervised by lifeguards and have changing rooms, showers and sunbathing areas. Water quality is checked daily by the City of Paris.
The Bassin de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement remains one of the flagship sites of Paris Plages, with its three pools of varying depths. Two paddling pools are available for the youngest visitors (maximum depth 40 cm), a shallow pool is suitable for children accompanied by an adult and for people with reduced mobility (up to 1.20 m), whilst a large pool is reserved for experienced swimmers (2 metres deep). The pool is open from 11am to 9pm in July and August (closing at 6pm on Sundays), with a capacity of 200 people at any one time.
On site, bungalows, showers and toilets provide a comfortable place to get changed, whilst refreshment stands and ice-cream parlours offer refreshments. Disinfection takes place every two hours to ensure a safe swimming experience.
In 2026, Parc Rives de Seine will once again become a summer destination, stretching its 7-kilometre promenade along both banks of the river. Left bank, from the Pont d’Iéna to the Pont des Arts, then right bank, from the Pont Neuf to the Port de l’Arsenal, this pedestrian area, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers panoramic views of Paris’s most beautiful monuments, such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. Cool lawns, wooden decking, sun loungers, palm trees and misting systems create a unique seaside atmosphere right in the heart of the city.
The Bassin de la Villette in the 19th arrondissement and the Canal Saint-Martin round off this 2026 edition with their water sports and shaded relaxation areas.
For the 2026 edition, the United States takes centre stage to mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence. From Saturday 4 July, a free taster session in flag football (a future Olympic sport) will be on offer on the Promenade Edouard Glissant, in partnership with the French American Football Federation (FFFA).
Parc Rives de Seine forms the historic heart of Paris Plages. Along both banks, visitors can enjoy an exceptional setting combining iconic monuments with a relaxed summer atmosphere.
Activities and entertainment organised at Parc Rives de Seine during Paris Plages 2026:
Please note that the open-air film festival Dolcevita-sur-Seine will return from 4 to 8 July 2026 at the Arènes de Lutèce and Square Capitan.
Returning in 2026, the Croisette du Canal Saint-Martin invites the public to stroll along both banks, amongst shaded terraces and urban beaches, open from 4 July to 30 August 2026.
Activities and events organised at the Canal Saint-Martin during Paris Plages 2026:
| Site | Arrondissement | Key activities |
|---|---|---|
| Parc Rives de Seine | Central Paris, 1st-4th, 7th arrondissements | Deckchairs, pétanque, beach volleyball, yoga, exhibitions, climbing wall |
| Bassin de la Villette | 19th arrondissement | Free swimming, water sports, zip line, water sports centre |
| Canal Saint-Martin | 10th arrondissement | Urban beaches, boules court, movement-based arts classes, swimming |
Approximate opening times: activities generally take place between 10am and 7pm, though this may vary depending on the venue and the programme. The venues are generally open from 10am to 6.30pm, with activities scheduled to end by 20.30 at the latest, depending on the venue. The new swimming area on the Seine at the Louis-Philippe Bridge is open from 8am to 6pm. Throughout the Paris Plages festival, a wide range of free events are on offer for Parisians and visitors alike. The programme will be updated regularly, so please check the official pages frequently for the latest information.
