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CNN Live Today

Paris Cobbles Together Bit of Coast and Plops It Down in Landlocked City of Lights

Aired July 22, 2002 - 10:53   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: When you think of a beach and a beach getaway, does your mind automatically wander to images of surf and sand? City leaders in Paris are hoping so, because they've cobbled together a bit of the coast and plopped it down in the landlocked City of Lights.

We get the details on new wave tourism from CNN's Marga Ortigas.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARGA ORTIGAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Summertime, and the living is easy.

Yes, right. In fast-paced, reputably non-sunny cities like London, you take what you can get.

(voice-over): But, with more than a little help from global warming, summers here can really be quite beautiful, with temperatures climbing to over 30 degrees Celsius, or 86 Fahrenheit. And there's never a shortage of outdoor activities.

But just across the Channel, the French have taken things a bit further. With the Cote D'Azur in the French Rivera at least four hours away by car, Parisians have decided to bring the beach to them. For one month only, two miles of the River Seine's right bank have been turned into a little piece of the Riviera, with 80 palm trees brought in to complete the look. The city's mayor spent $1.5 million so those stuck in Paris over the summer can now either lounge around in deck chairs on fine white sands, sunbathe on rocky shores, or laze on cool-cut grass, all within view of the city's great landmarks.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): With the River Seine, it makes a real contrast. I also like the different types of beaches to suit everybody's liking.

ORTIGAS: Spaces have been created for beach volleyball, the French ball game petanque, and there's even a spot for rock climbing. The only thing you can't do is swim. The river isn't clean enough. But that's not dampening spirits here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm having a fabulous time. This is great. Can you imagine, I'm in Paris, France, I'm on a sandy beach, I have Notre Dame in front of me that is going to sound off in 15 minutes. It's beautiful.

ORTIGAS: With the roads along the Seine now closed to all but pedestrian traffic, Paris Beach is a perfect pocket of peace, and fun, to flee the frenetic city pace, right in its very heart.

Margo Ortigas, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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