Paris Plages runs until 30 August – these free activities are worth trying before it ends
Picture yourself stretched out on a deckchair facing the Seine, late-summer sun on your face, with a full day of free activities ahead. That is exactly what Paris Plages delivers, and the good news is there are still a few days left to enjoy it: the event runs until 30 August.
Free activities for all ages through the end of the month
What sets this summer event apart is, first and foremost, its accessibility. The entire programme is free, and it caters to every generation, whether you are 10 or 90 years old. Every day, activities are on offer across the two main sites in the capital, from early July through to the end of August.
This 24th edition cements a tradition that has become a fixture in the Parisian calendar. Since 2002, Paris Plages has animated the city’s summers without interruption, drawing in tourists from around the world as well as Parisians who stay in town during the holidays.
The Bassin de la Villette, for thrills and water sports
In the 19th arrondissement, the Bassin de la Villette is the place for anyone who loves being on the water. The nautical base and the Port de Paris Plages offer a range of aquatic activities: paddleboarding, canoeing and swimming are all on the programme. Plenty to fill an active morning or afternoon.
For younger visitors, a children’s club is set up on site. And for those after a bigger rush of adrenaline, a zip line is also available. The Bassin de la Villette lends itself particularly well to families looking to combine play, sport and a welcome cool-down.
- Paddleboarding and canoeing on the Bassin de la Villette
- Swimming accessible from the nautical base
- Zip line for thrill-seekers
- Children’s club for the youngest visitors
- Deckchairs facing the Seine at the parc des Rives de Seine
- Pétanque and gentle activities in an exceptional setting
Paris Plages at the parc des Rives de Seine, the art of outdoor relaxation
A world away from the sporty atmosphere of the Bassin de la Villette, the parc des Rives de Seine, in the heart of Paris, is all about slowness and contemplation. Deckchairs are set up facing the river, inviting you to settle in for hours with no agenda whatsoever.
You can also join a game of pétanque or choose from a range of gentler activities, in a setting that very few cities in the world can match. It is the ideal spot to decompress, read, or simply watch the Seine drift by.
For a cool-down, swimming in the Seine is possible at the Bras-Marie, every day from 8am to 6pm, through to the end of August. A concrete, free option for anyone who wants to swim without leaving central Paris.
Making the most of the last days of summer in Paris
Even with the back-to-school season closing in, Paris Plages still offers a generous window to savour the summer. Both sites, the parc des Rives de Seine and the Bassin de la Villette, remain open and buzzing until 30 August 2026. Now is the time to take advantage, whether for an hour or a full day. The event remains one of the most accessible summer fixtures in the capital, and one of the rare ones to bring so many generations together in a single space, without spending a single euro.
