Beach Life In The Metropole: Paris

Paris / Voir
en par Momondo, 19. juin 2009

Summer is up and cities across Europe have planted palms trees and trucked in tons of sand to urban riverfronts to create the feeling of a lazy day at the shore. Urban beaches are a hit and Momondo guides you to our favourites.

Paris Plages


Paris Tourist Office/Amélie Dupont

Written by David Rich Momondo

Take thousand tons of sand, palm trees, deckchairs, glistering torsos and ubiquitous ice cream sellers - and you have the Paris Plages. The ‘Parisian Riviera’ spans 3 km along the right bank of the Seine from Louvre to Pont Sully.

During the summer, parts of the riverside are closed off from traffic and you can join the thousands of Parisians and tourists that enjoy the rather surreal experience lying in middle of the street wearing only bikini or speedos and a top hat. Beware, no g-strings, topless or nudist beachgoers allowed unless you want a 38 € fine!


Paris Tourist Office/Amélie Dupont

The Paris Plages is a highly popular, free 'event' instituted by the City Fathers in 2002. Originally it was thought of as a getaway for the thousand of Parisians who can’t afford to go on holiday, but the project was immediately adopted by the whole city and now millions of people visit the beach next to the city hall every summer.

On hot summer days Paris Plages is packed with sun-craving citizens and it is THE place in Paris to show the world your newest tattoo and the result of a long winter's hard work in the gym.

Beyond the stretch from Louvre to Pont Sully there is also a beach on the left bank of the Seine at the foot of the François Mitterrand National Library (13 arr.). Here is a floating swimming pool (Piscine Josephine Baker) filled with recycled water from the river for those seeking some relief from the summer sun, especially as the dirty water of the Seine itself is not a welcome thought. Since 2007, a third beach next to Bassin de la Villette, in the 19th arrondissement, has become extremely popular.

The Paris Plages run from 20 July to 20 August 2009. 

Go further:

Beach life in Berlin

Beach Life in Prague

Beach Life in Stockholm

Beach Life in New York

Beach Life in Madrid

Beach Life in Amsterdam

Beach Life in London

Beach Life in Copenhagen


Publié par
Momondo

Get Your Rocks Off in Barcelona!

Barcelona / Sortir le soir
en par Momondo, 12. juin 2009


Photo: Alterna2

By David Brydon

With such a diverse cultural and ethnic mix in Barcelona, it’s no surprise that the Music scene offers some fantastic places and just about every rhythm to dance to in the Catalan Capital. From Salsa to Blues, Rock & Roll to Jazz, Barcelona has it all on the live Music scene. Here are some of the best places to go:

Sala Apolo


Photo: Alterna2

Down in the theatre distict of Parallel, Sala Apolo has been rocking the beat on the Barcelona music scene for years. Booked as a live venue for artists such as Paul Weller, the grungy old theatre serves as a perfect backdrop for the alternative crowd. This is also one of the venues selected for the warm-up parties for some of the summer festivals such as Primavera sound and the Sonar music festival. Head on down mid-week for Flamenco and Rumba sessions, as well as the 'Nasty Mondays' night which has earned its fame on the circuit. Sala Apolo is located on Nou de la Rambla 11- just across the main Parallel Avenue.

London Bar


Photo: Kieran Lynam

Moving back into the old town, but still on the same street as Apolo, you’ll find London Bar. London Bar is an institution in the city (as bears the Council floor plaque to boot) and has been serving up impromptu concerts and great bands for the old town residents for decades. It’s also one of the few places in the old town that doesn’t charge to get in, and closes late – making it a great place to end the night. It’s a narrow but deep bar, with Becks on tap (one of the few places in town), friendly owners and staff and great music crammed in on a weekend. Expect anything from a 2 piece guitar combo to a full brass swing band. Find London Bar on Carrer Nou de la Rambla 34 – you can’t miss it.

Jamboree


Photo: Arteunporro

If Jazz is your thing, head on down to Jamboree – housed inside Plaça Reial, halfway down the famous Las Ramblas street. With such greats as Ella Fitzgerald having graced the stage, this underground jazz club is much more trendy and touristy on a weekend, but mid-week still pulls the jazz crowd in and Jamboree has won several awards for its eclectic mix of acts.

Harlem Jazz Club


Photo: BoHeMlo

Another ace in the pack is the Harlem Jazz club, located in the winding streets of the Gothic Quarter, and host to some of the best jazz fusions in town, including Brazilian, Gypsy, Cuban, Swing and just about anything else you can imagine. Free entrance apart from Tuesdays and weekends, when the entrance fee will also get you a drink at the bar. Located on Comtessa de Sobradiel 8 in the Gothic Quarter.

Razzmatazz


Photo: Toni Villen

Moving out of town slightly, to the industrial estate of PobleNou, and Razzmatazz looms over the neighbourhood bars. With 5 nightclubs in 1, Razzmatazz is the usual venue for breakthrough bands which haven’t quite made the grade in Spain  - who then usually return to play bigger venues. Think Coldplay, Keane, Travis – all played late in the year and then came back the following summer to headline in the sports Arenas and FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium. That’s not to say that there isn’t some great local and international music, too. Located on Carrer Pamplona, number 88.

Sala Bikini


Photo: Alterna2

Another place worth a mention is Sala Bikini, located just below the Avenida Diagonal, on Carrer de Deu I Mata 105. Whilst the venue is fairly small, there’s plenty of room for rock, and I’ve seen some great bands there, such as Supergrass and Tricky and it always has a packed calendar with some of the funkiest live music around.

Publié par
Momondo

5 Charming Hotels in the Heart of Paris

Paris / Dormir
en par Momondo, 2. juin 2009


L'hôtel de la Bretonnerie

Where to live? It's always the same dilemma. But in the case of Paris, please do not choose a boring chain hotel. There are so many small, charming and affordable hotels. Here a handful of travel reporter Katrine Salomon's favourites.

Publié par
Momondo