There is so much to see and do in Paris, especially in the summer, the peak tourist season in the city, when the main monuments and landmarks attract the most attention.
However, since the summer weather in Paris calls for it, there are also beautiful sites where you can relax and sunbathe, taking a break from the hectic bustle of the main attractions.
So, if you’re craving some color and vitamin D, here are some of the best places to get a tan in Paris!
Some of these spots are equipped with sun loungers, while others require you to bring your own towel to lie comfortably on the grass. Either way, remember to pack your sunscreen, stay hydrated and enjoy!
Paris-Plages
It may not be the same as a real beach vacation, but the city of Paris does its best to turn time spent on the riverbank into a seaside retreat every summer by building artificial beaches along the banks of the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette in the northeast of the city.
It’s built with massive amounts of beach sand and artificial grass, with sun loungers, chairs, and sunshades set throughout the space. There are also activities for the whole family, picnic tables, bars, and kiosks that allow you to spend the entire day by the water, or the evening, reading a book on one of the sun loungers, or enjoying an appetizer on the sand with friends.
Swimming is not allowed in the Seine, so you’ll have to settle for sunbathing on the shore. However, it is possible to swim in the Bassin de la Villette.
The Baignade Bassin de la Villette comprises four swimming pools: a 1.20-meter-deep pool, a 2-meter-deep pool, and two children’s pools with a depth of 40 cm.
The use of the facilities is free of charge.
Champ de Mars
The lush green grass stretching from the Eiffel Tower is a dream for those who like to stretch out in it. As the city’s main tourist attraction, the grounds of the Champ de Mars are kept in a state of continuous perfection; even in winter, this grass is more comfortable than most of the chairs in Parisian cafés that line the streets.
Sunbathing is allowed on the Champ de Mars. In fact, on certain sunny days, it’s hard to find spaces to sit among the sunbathers.
Bring your towel or blanket, cold drinks, snacks, and a book to read. Avoid being the sunbather who needs to play their music while sitting in a public space; the Champ de Mars will already have some nearby, adding to the noise pollution.
Usually, independent vendors wander around the site with fresh water and other delicacies to buy. If needed, there are plenty of cafés and restaurants (and ice cream shops) in the surrounding neighborhoods nearby.
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
Address: Allée Adrienne Lecouvreur 2, 75007 Paris
Canal Saint Martin
Picnicking on the banks of the Canal Saint Martin is a pastime that originated on the banks of the Seine. Especially on weekends, you can see many families or couples settled on the canal’s banks having a picnic.
A day by the water is always a good day, and since Paris has no beaches, the canal provides a beautiful and relaxing space. Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed.
Il Cottage
Il Cottage is a fantastic rooftop concept on the city’s western edge between the Arc de Triomphe and the Bois de Boulogne. Being away from the center of Paris, there are plenty of places with enough space to work on your tan.
Il Cottage is a 700 m2 second-floor rooftop terrace with a bar, a restaurant, and a space wholly dedicated to sunbathing. Its purpose was to create an urban leisure space in the city where you could simulate an island/beach life, despite the lack of water.
The terrace has rows of sun loungers and reclining chairs and offers an all-day cocktail service. There are even several parasols that sunbathers can use while sitting outside.
The restaurant and bar are covered and offer an inviting shelter from the scorching heat when it’s time to cool off. Il Cottage is also well-known for its pizzas.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, from 12:00 pm to 00:00 am.
Address: Boulevard Lannes 1, 75116 Paris
Jardin des Tuileries
The Jardin des Tuileries is a delightful haven in the 1st arrondissement, beautifully landscaped and perfectly located between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde. It is a public park where hundreds of Parisians and tourists can stroll along its paths and its main tree-lined avenue with its many sculptures surrounded by typical Parisian buildings, soak up the sun and get away from the busy city life.
In summer, most people visit these gardens wanting to sunbathe somewhere on the lawns but are usually pleasantly surprised to find chairs situated right by the lake. These are not recliners, but if you can put two together, with one to use as a footstool, you can get the closest thing to a sun lounger.
There are several lakes and ponds throughout the gardens. The largest and main one is west of the park, near the Musée de l’Orangerie. It is where you will find the most seats. It is best to arrive early on notably hot days to secure a seat.
Entry to the Tuileries is free, and the garden is open daily until 9 pm.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm
Address: Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris
Jardin du Luxembourg
The Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the most stunning attractions in Paris for locals and tourists alike. Here, visitors can find an ideal place to rest after a long day exploring the city. The park is home to many metal benches surrounded by numerous statues and sculptures, a perfect place to relax and enjoy some fresh air. Filled with flowers and trees much appreciated for their shade during the warmer months of the year, visitors can also play tennis or pétanque, take a short forestry course, or get started in beekeeping thanks to the hives of bees in the garden. Children can rent small wooden sailing boats on the duck pond and steer them through the water with a stick, as was done at the beginning of the 20th century. Kids can also watch various puppet shows or enjoy a pony ride.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 8 am to 9 pm
Address: Rue de Vaugirard 19, 75006 Paris
Bois de Boulogne
The Bois de Boulogne is the largest public park in Paris, with a surface area of 846 hectares (8.4 km2), far ampler than New York’s Central Park or London’s Hyde Park. As you can imagine, all this space is suitable for sunbathing and offers something that most other Parisian parks don’t… privacy. With its size, the Bois de Boulogne has several areas, hills, and nature reserves. There are main areas that are always crowded, but if you look further inland, you’ll find more secluded, secluded grounds and secret lawns where you can be more at ease.
This is a spot where you can stay for a large part of the day. Don’t forget to take everything you might need while you’re there: books, towels, drinks, etc. There are some water and crêpe vendors around the grounds and a small café near the entrance.
Consider also renting one of the boats on the lake for a few hours! It is a great place to sunbathe, and you can put your feet outside the boat to cool off.
Opening hours: Open 24 hours
Location: West of Paris in the 16th arrondissement
Bois de Vincennes
On the border of the 12th arrondissement, this park has a forest, a castle, a zoo, and many stretches of grass where you can lie at your leisure.
Also, the Chalet du Lac has an exquisite terrace. Imagine a sandy beach in the middle of the forest, where you can sunbathe while sipping a drink and enjoying gourmet dishes: the Beach Parisienne at Chalet du Lac.
It’s a 1,000 m2 beach in the Bois de Vincennes, with sun loungers and sunbeds, a mist blower, a shower, foosball, music, and lots and lots of gourmet food. It’s the perfect place to enjoy an appetizer with your feet in the sand. There’s also a beach bungalow that houses the Lia restaurant with its Lebanese-Israeli specialties, a cocktail bar, and a barbecue. You can enjoy these delicacies at a table on the terrace or the sun loungers. It’s the perfect way to spend a relaxing afternoon.
Address: Route de la Pyramide, 75012 Paris
