by Kathy Madden

"La terre vue du ciel" entrances visitors

Two years ago, the excitement centered on the Luxembourg Gardens, whose fence was covered with large aerial photographs of places throughout the world. Titled "La terre vue du ciel" ("Earth seen from the sky"), the photography exhibit drew thousands of people. The French Senate also installed a large raised platform in Luxembourg Gardens, upon which a map of the world was painted, showing the locations of all of the photographs. Black felt slippers were provided so people could walk on the map.

This summer, Paris introduced a daring, even more interactive idea than the photo exhibit: Paris Plage ("Paris Beach"). The concept is simple and creative. Basically, a two-mile stretch of the Georges Pompidou expressway along the Seine has been turned into a beach, replete with sand, activities, and vendors. The closed segment, which usually receives 200,000 cars per day, is located on the Seine's right bank near the Hotel de Ville (City Hall), facing Notre Dame.

The City of Paris has transformed the Georges Pompidou expressway into a pedestrian haven.

Paris Plage was undertaken by the Mayor's office as an attempt to reclaim the banks of the Seine for pedestrians, and to provide a recreational opportunity for all Parisians - especially those who can't or don't want to leave the city in the heat of summer. It has already proven immensely popular with the public. Three million visitors used Paris Plage in its first week alone, and it has been widely praised for providing low-income families with access to quality recreation and open space.

Mayor Bertrand Delanoe of Paris is clearly one of the world's leaders in thinking about people and their inherent need for public spaces.

The City established the "beach" by closing the city's busiest traffic artery, the Pompidou expressway. Then they hauled in sand, grass, stones, umbrellas--and hundreds of blue-and-white-striped deck chairs. The stage was set for a multitude of opportunities to play, eat, stroll, and, of course, catch some rays!

A sand court outside the Hotel de Ville was the stage for soccer games and more

A stroll through Paris Plage in late July revealed an incredible variety of activities. In front of the Hotel de Ville, school kids used a sand court for a (somewhat) organized soccer game. Later in the afternoon people used the same court for volleyball. Nearby was a miniature golf course and a patio with several of those ubiquitous blue deck chairs and umbrellas. Along the Seine, the promenade and beach had more games for both adults and children: a trio of bocce courts, a climbing wall (transformed from an existing wall), a "wild" children's play area, several cabanas, and outdoor cafes directly on the river, open until 8pm. People were strolling, sunning, and socializing. Security guards clad in shorts rode by on roller blades or bicycles, and everyone--Parisians and tourists alike--seemed to be having a good time. A series of musical events on different days and evenings added to the attraction.

Children play at one of the dozens of recreation stations along the Seine

The fact that there were so many aspects to Paris Plage - appealing to all the senses and to people of all ages - made this one of the most interesting urban events to be staged in recent memory. Along with other mayors, such as Richard M. Daley of Chicago and Joan Clos of Barcelona, Mayor Bertrand Delanoe of Paris is clearly one of the world's leaders in thinking about people and their inherent need for public spaces. We congratulate and thank him!