My favorite thing this summer

Undoubtedly, my favorite thing in Paris this summer was the Paris Plages - the Paris Beaches. 

Ten years ago the mayor of Paris had the idea to bring a little beach life to Paris.  He shut down a major road that hugs the riverfront and dumped in tons and tons of sand for the Parisannes to feel like they were at a beach.  The event grew and this year over 2,000 tons of sand were dumped on a mile of riverfront to create the "beach." 

It is impossible for me to describe the scale of this thing.  This picture attempts to show you but picture this for over a mile... 

I took the kids to the Paris Plages twice the last weekend.  It usually runs for about a month.  There you are, watching the world go by alongside the peaceful river, and the kids are happily digging in the sand.  The sun was shining and the churchs bells of Notre Dame could be heard in the distance.  Perfection. 

Here was my view across the river one day we were at the beach...  See?  Perfection. 

If the kids got too hot, they had misters everywhere for them to run through, squealing in delight.  Or we could snag a beach umbrella to get some shade.  There were public restrooms, little restaurants selling snacks - everything you could want. 

Disneyland Paris even got involved this year, making a huge sandcastle meant to look like the top of Sleeping Beauty's castle.  They also made a smaller Mickey and Minnie lounging in the sun nearby. 

I only wish I had taken the kids before the last weekend.  We would have definitely gone more often!