Plage and Pools

Révolution and Libération

Paris:– Saturday, 19. June 2004:– Some of summer's events are below but not all of them. Paris seems to have more happening than it did a few years ago when stupor struck the city a day after the Fête de la Bastille. More Parisians staying here for the summer has caused a minor 'révolution.'

For some of the 'regular' events you'll need to turn to the normal 'Scène column that is a companion to this one. Again, nether column contains everything that is going on.

• Summer 2004
• Fête de la Bastille
• Other Events, Exhibitions, Salons
• Swimming Pools
• Some Kid Stuff
• Unclassifieds + Bikes

• This Week's 'Openers'
• Last Chances
• Major Events, Exhibitions, Salons
• More Events, Exhibitions, Salons
• Photo, Cinema and Multimedia
• Culture, History, Science

The Olympic Flame – makes its way from Le Bourget through Paris, from 11:30 to 20:00, to finish at the Tour Eiffel. Free and one day only – on Friday, 25. June.

Between Dog and Wolf – is the name of the circus act put on by Le Cirque Pocheros during the summer. From Thursday, 15. July to 14. August. At 20:30. In the Cour du Maroc, 45. Rue d'Aubervilliers, Paris 18. Métro: Stalingrad. InfoTel.: 01 44 94 98 00.

Medieval! – take in a little 13th century jousting every Sunday at 16:00, until 29. August, and on 19. September. Inside the fortress in medieval Provins. Take the RER 'A' to Chessy–Marne–la–Vallée and a bus.

Jeux Olympiques Vus par Depardon – followed for 20 years by photographer Raymond Depardon, the olympics are on view here, as noted by club members. Except on Sundays, from 10:00 to 19:00. In the Salon d'Acceuil of the Hôtel de Ville, 29. Rue de Rivoli, Paris 4. Métro: Hôtel de Ville. InfoTel.: 01 42 76 49 61. Free entry.

Fête du Cinéma – buy one full–price entry, get the 'passport,' and pay 1.50€ thereafter for all this films you can force yourself to see on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, 27, 28 and 29. June. At most cinemas in Paris, and throughout France.

Paris Cinéma – the now annual Paris Cinéma festival will be happening from Wednesday, 30. June until Tuesday, 13. July. See 400 films in 30 locations, for 4€ each, at participating salles. InfoTel.: 01 42 22 09 86.

Carnaval Tropical – Paris picks the right month for this, when all talents are focused on music, dancing in the streets, and a parade with floats. From 14:00 at the Place Léon Blum to 18:00 at the Pelouse de Reuilly – where it rocks on until midnight. Along the way, four special shows in the 11th and 12th arrondissements. On Saturday, 3. July, the 3rd annual Carnaval Tropical, Paris 11 and 12. Métro: Ledru–Rollin and Porte Dorée.

Summer Cinéma Festival – features shorts and features, with the theme being the 'Monde d'Orages.' On the grass, under the stars, if all goes well. There's a terrific – 'Orages!' – lineup of films this year, beginning on Friday, 16. July and continuing until 28. August. The films roll nightly except Mondays and start about 22:00, when it's dark enough. Deckchairs are also available. At the Prairie du Triangle, Parc de la Villette, 211. Avenue Jean Jaurés, Paris 19. Métro: Porte de Pantin. InfoTel.: 01 40 03 75 75.

Ciné–Vacances – proposes 12 evenings of outdoor movies, in the 13th, 18th, 19th and 20th arrondissements, between Friday, 16. July and Saturday, 7. August. This is part of the summer's Festival d'Eté program. InfoTel.:01 44 94 98 00.

Mosaïculture – is a walking exhibition in the entirely renovated Serres d'Auteuil, which is a city nursery and palm plantation. Whatever 'Mosaïculture' might be, eight personalities associated with it are on display 10. October. Hours are from 10:00 to 18:00. At the Serres d'Auteuil, 1–bis, Avenue de la Porte–d'Auteuil, Paris 16. Métro: Porte–d'Auteuil.

Cabanes – are the theme of a walking exhibition in the Parc de Bagatelle from Tuesday, 8. June until 10. October. In the same park find the Festival Chopin until Wednesday, 14. July. There's more music of the chamber type with the Octuor de France at the park's Orangerie. Closed on Tuesdays, open from 11:30 to 18:00. Parc de Bagatelle, Route de Neuilly, in the Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16. Nearest métro: Pont de Neuilly, or bus 43. Park entry – 1.50€. InfoTel.: 01 45 00 22 19.

Salon du Timbre – is the annual big stamp salon, organized by La Poste. From Saturday, 26. June until Sunday, 4. July. To be in the Parc Floral de Paris, in its expo space, in the Bois de Vincennes, Paris 12. Métro: Château de Vincennes. InfoTel.: 01 41 87 13 18.

Libération – 60th Anniversary – will be celebrated with ceremonies, popular bals and other festivities, all on Wednesday, 25. August. As yet the other details concern the Senat's efforts which include concerts and memorials in the Luxembourg gardens.

Sous La Plage – with 'Piratages Meets Cake & Milk,' on Sundays. Dates are the Sundays of 11. July, 15. August, and 19. September. Usually from 14:00 to 23:00. Find Sous La Plage in the Parc André Citroën, Rue Cauchy, Paris 15. Métro: Javel or Balard. InfoTel.: 01 43 49 68 68.

Shorties – includes Les Pestacles, for kids, at the Parc Floral until Sunday, 25. July. At the same location, the Paris Jazz Festival, bebops until Sunday, 25. July. The now annual Marche des Fiertés Lesbiennes, Gaies, Bi et Trans! will roll loudly through Paris on Saturday, 26. June. The sailing 'Tour de France' starts with a regatta in Paris on the weekend of Friday, 25. June to Sunday 27. June. The Festival Solidays takes place at the Longchamp racetrack, from Friday, 9. July until Sunday, 11. July.

L'Incroyable Rallye – hang out with artists in east Paris to get a Bastille–time 'taste' of the city. On Tuesday and Wednesday, 13 and 14. July, from 19:00 to 02:00 on Tuesday, and from 12:00 to 18:00 on Wednesday. Paris 11, 13 and 18. InfoTel.: 01 40 35 49 56. Check this year's Web site for details. Try last year's InfoTel.: 01 43 57 49 85.

Les Sapeurs –Pompiers – have a tradition of turning their firehalls into dancehalls for the Fête de la Bastille. The 'bals' will be held on the evenings of Tuesday, 13. July and Wednesday, 14. July. At various locations in Paris and throughout France. Initially held in 1937, the first 'bal' lasted until the afternoon of the next day, and everyone at it missed the Champs–Elysées parade.

Military Parade – this always takes place on the whole Champs–Elysées, from Etoile to the Place de la Concorde. The parade begins at 10:00 and will last until about 11:30. This is a rain or shine affair, so be prepared. To be on Wednesday, 14. July. The official viewing stand is usually set up at the Place de la Concorde. Paris 8. Métros – count on the Métro stops at Etoile, George V, Franklin Roosevelt, Clemenceau and Concorde being closed. Plan to arrive by foot or from the next nearest ones.

Fireworks – fans will have their night on Wednesday, 14. July, beginning about 22:30. The rockets will be fired off from the Trocadéro's gardens, so the best place to be is across the Seine on the Champ de Mars, with possibly 350,000 other Fête Nationale fans. The show usually lasts about 40 minutes, and is held rain or shine. Paris 7. Métros – Alma–Marceau, Ecole Militaire, Bir Hakeim or La Motte–Picquet–Grenelle – also the RER 'C' line stops of Pont de l'Alma and Champ de Mars.

91st Tour de France – this bicycle classic began in 1903 so this is the year after its centennial year. Starting on Saturday, 3. July, 'Le Tour' spins around France for three weeks before arriving at the finish line on the Champs–Elysées on Sunday, 25. July about 14:00. Paris 8. InfoTel.: 01 41 33 15 00.

Scènes d'Eté – free live music on five Sunday afternoons in August returns to the Kiosque à Musique in the park at La Villette. More and better than before, especially if there's good weather. Starts about 17:30 each Sunday. At the 'Kiosque' halfway into the Parc de la Villette, 211. Avenue Jean–Jaurès, Paris 19. Métro: Porte de Pantin. InfoTel.: 01 40 03 75 75. A neat freebie.

Glorious! Advertising! Years! – were from 1950 to 1970 in France, in case you didn't notice. This continues until 14. November. Hours are from 11:00 to 18:00 Tuesday to Friday and from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekends. At the Musée de la Publicité, 107. Rue de Rivoli, Paris 1. Métro: Palais–Royal–Louvre. InfoTel.: 01 44 55 57 50.

'Souvenirs, Souvenirs' – is the title of this visual and audio exhibition celebrating 100 years of popular French songs and music, with the collective memory of it all, along with the last century's 'Top 100.' Until 31. December. From 10:00 to 19:00, and 12:00 to 19:00 on Sundays. Closed Mondays. At the François Mitterrand site of the Bibliothèque Nationale, – Tour des Nombres, at the Quai François Mauriac, Paris 13. Métro: Quai de la Gare or Bibliothèque François Mitterrand. InfoTel.: 01 53 79 49 49.

Barbie Tells All – which is merely 5000 years of the history of costumes, which is not bad for a 45 year –old doll. Until 26. October, and from 10:00 to 18:00 daily except Mondays. At the Musée de la Poupée, in the Impasse Berthaud, just off 22. Rue Rambuteau, Paris 3. Métro: Rambuteau. InfoTel.: 01 42 72 73 11.

Le Cimetière du Père Lachaise – Paris' most superlative cemetery has its 200th anniversary this year, and this is its exhibition. Until Thursday, 15 July, but closed on Wednesday, 14. July. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 to 17:00, and on Monday from 13:30 to 17:00. At the Archives de Paris, 18. Boulevard Sérurier, Paris 19. Métro: Porte des Lilas. InfoTel.: 01 53 72 41 23.

L'Animal à Paris – is a sort of 'where have the horses gone?' show. Paris' animals are not nearly as present as they once were, but here they are. See this until 5. September. Except Mondays, from 10:00 to 18:00. At the Musée Carnavalet – Histoire de Paris, 23. Rue de Sévigné, Paris 3. Métro: Saint–Paul or Chemin Vert. InfoTel.: 01 44 59 58 58.

Arcimboldo et les Cinq Sens – kids will be able to distinguish their five senses after seeing some of this Italian painter's now–you–see–it, now–you–don't works. Also visit Il Etait une Fois Léonard. Both on show until the last day of the year. The park is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, but on Saturdays from 14:00 to 18:00. At the Musée en Herbe, in the Jardin d'Acclimatation just inside the Bois de Boulogne. Paris 16. Métro: Sablons. InfoTel.: 01 40 67 97 66.

Piranhas Enivrés – are not as bad as their reputation, so come and see some in the aquarium here. The exhibition continues until 31. August. Open from 10:00 to 17:30 except on Tuesday. At the Palais de la Porte Dorée, 293. Avenue Daumésnil, Paris 12. Métro: Porte Dorée. InfoTel.: 01 44 74 84 80.

Ca C'est du Cirque – is the name for the Cirque Diana Moreno Bormann, which performs all year long on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 15:00 with a second Saturday show at 20:30 twice a month. Other performances on all holidays. Most likely like real circus. Find it at Rue de la Haie – Coq, Paris 19. Métro: Porte de la Chapelle or bus 65. InfoTel.: 01 64 05 36 25.

Détectives Privés Français, Réels et de Fiction – from Vidocq to Nestor Burna. Private dicks, French style. This continues until 16. October. From Tuesday to Friday, from 14:00 to 18:00; and on Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00. At the 'BILIPO' – Bibliothèque de Littérature Policière, 48 – 50. Rue du Cardinal–Lemoine, Paris 5. Métro: Cardinal–Lemoine. InfoTel.: 01 42 34 93 00.

Mammoth Times – is a big show about very old ancestors of elephants, continuing for a long time, until 10. January. Closed Tuesdays, the hours are from 10:00 to 18:00, and on Saturdays until 19:00. At the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution, at the Muséum National d'Historie Naturelle, 36. rue Geoffroy Saint–Hilaire, Paris 5. Métro: Jussieu. InfoTel.: 01 40 79 36 00.

Napoléon et la Mer – despite some setbacks – who remembers Trafalgar? – marine affairs were a major Napoléonic preoccupation. This big show shows all, tells all, until 23. August. From 10:00 to 17:45, except Tuesdays. At the Musée de la Marine, 17. Place du Trocadéro, Paris 16. Métro: Trocadéro. InfoTel.: 01 53 65 69 53.

Histoire des Catacombs – is an exhibition continuing until 14. November. Note that the standard 'tour' is 1.7 km long, and there are quite a number of entry and exit stairs. Closed on Mondays and some holidays, but open on Tuesday from 11:00 to 16:00 and from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 16:00. At the Catacombs, 1. Place Denfert – Rochereau, Paris 14. Métro: Denfert–Rochereau. InfoTel.: 01 43 22 47 63.

<<B>Les Piscines, Paris Plage – here is a short list of the open–top pools topless this summer in Paris. 'Open–top' means the pool, and does not guarantee people–free sunbathing space.

– Piscine Roger–Le–Gall, 34. Boulevard Carnet, Paris 12. Métro: Porte de Vincennes.
– La Butte–aux–Cailles is historic and has triple–pools, at 5. Place Paul–Verlain, Paris 13. Métro: Place de l'Italie.
– the Keller,14, rue de l'Ingénieur Keller, Paris 15. Métro: Charles Michels or Javel.
– the Piscine Champerret has, like the pool at Auteuil, grass to lie on, to catch sunrays without getting wet. At 36. Boulevard de Reims, Paris 17. Métro: Porte de Champerret.
– The Piscine Hébert was built in 1896 and renovated in 1992, but remains a bit small. At 2. Rue des Fillettes, Paris 18. Métro: Marx–Dormoy.
– Piscine Georges–Hermant, 4. Rue David–d'Angers, Paris 19. Métro: Danube.
– the Piscine Georges–Vallerey was built in 1924 for the Olympics and is where Johnny Weissmuller won the 400 metres before becoming Tarzan. At 148. Avenue Gambetta, Paris 20. Métro: Porte des Lilas.
– the Piscine d'Auteuil, in the Bois de Boulogne – two pools and grassy sunbathing – on the Route des Lacs à Passy, Paris 16. Métro: Ranelagh.
– dim inside, sun outside at Boulogne–Billancourt at the Parc de Billancourt pool, 165. Rue du Vieux–Pont–de–Sèvres. Métro: Billancourt.

These are not all the pools there are, but the ones where you can get some soleil as well as your feet wet. Of the 27 municipal pools, 22 are open this summer. Ones with solariums stay open until 21:00, and all pools take a rest until 13:00 on Mondays. If you can hold your breath a couple of years, Paris is thinking of dropping two floating pools into the Seine.

Paris Plage, Edition 2004 – will be a replay of 2003's smash hit, to feature three kilometres of right–bank beach front beside the Seine especially for pedestrians, sunbathers, bikers, strollers, rollers – from Wednesday, 21. July to Friday, 20. August.. A mini–swimming pool will be added this year, and there may be more cooling fog machines. There will also be palms, sand, deckchairs, entertainment and spots to dance, with some pétanque players, and 'clubs' for kids, as well as refreshment kiosks. Fishing and tango lessons may also be on the program. In principle, to be open 24 hours daily, but most entertainments will shut down at 23:00. Drivers should note that their right–bank speedway will be closed for the duration of Paris Plage.

Ice Skating – Indoors – is open to the public at the POPB, or 'Bercy' for short. The actual name is the Sonja–Henie Patinoire. Open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 15:00 to 18:00. On Saturday evening also open from 21:30 to 00:30, with a DJ for skaters who like music. Entry on north, garden side, at 8. Boulevard de Bercy, Paris 12. Métro: Bercy. InfoTel.: 01 40 02 60 60.

For Roller Folks – the free Friday night 'roller rando' around Paris goes on all year, starting at 22:00 on Fridays, from in front of the Gare Montparnasse. Each complete tour takes about three hours – and they are not for the wobbly or faint–hearted. Paris 15. Métro: Montparnasse. InfoTel.: 01 43 36 89 81.

More For Roller Folks – the free Sunday afternoon 'other roller rando' around Paris goes on all year too, but starts at 14:30 on Sundays from the Place de la Bastille. Complete tours take about three hours, but are not so taxing as the night tours. Paris 11. Métro: Bastille. InfoTel.: 01 44 54 07 44.

Paris Rando Vélo – is another Friday night bike rendez – vous that meets at the Hôtel de Ville at 21:30. This group also has a 10:30 session on the third Sunday of every month. Check the Web site for 'yet another roller rando,' always in sunny weather of course. Probably also not so taxing as the original night tours. At the Hôtel de Ville, Paris 4. Métro: Hôtel de Ville InfoTel.: 06 10 87 05 87.

Roue Libre – this RATP partner has bike rentals, costing not much per hour or day. Both complete accessories and insurance are available. The year – round HQ is open from 9:00 to 19:00 daily, at 1. Passage Mondétour in Les Halles. Métro: Les Halles or Etienne–Marcel. InfoTel.: 08 00 44 15 34.

'Paris Respire' – is the Sunday and holidays' program allowing slower folks unpowered by motors to stroll and roll around without worrying about the automobilistas on the Seine–side speedways and other areas around Paris, which are closed to motor traffic until 17:00 on Sundays. This is now a year–round occasion.