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Photos: Parisians unwind as the Seine hosts an open-air cinema
The Paris Plages, artificial beaches on the banks of the Seine in central Paris and the Bassin de la Villette are an annual city event that is immensely popular since their launch in 2002 by former Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe. Over the weekend, Paris Plages turned the Seine into an open-air cinema for free movie screenings. Thirty-eight boats with occupancy of up to six people on each, floated distantly on the Seine; while others watched from deckchairs on the sidelines. Cinemas have reopened in Paris, however, occupancy remains low after more than 30,000 have died of coronavirus in all of France.
Updated on: Jul 20, 2020 6:23 PM IST
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Parisians enjoy the opening night of the Paris Plages at La Villette, on July 18. As part of the festival 38 electric boats were installed on the Seine’s quays in compliance with social distancing rules, with 150 deckchairs on the banks of the canal. The screenings included the short film ‘Corona Story’ by Victor Mirabel, followed by the comedy ‘Le Grand Bain’, which also included free ice cream. (Kiran Ridley / Getty Images)
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A general view of the Paris Plages during the screening of ‘Le Grand Bain’ in Paris on July 18. After drive-in cinema, open air floating cinema was quick to gain popularity among Parisians as occupancy in conventional cinema halls continues to be low following the easing of coronavirus lockdowns, Reuters reported. (Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images)
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A general view during the "Le Cinema Sur L'Eau" event organized by Paris Plages on July 18 in Paris. According to Reuters, the artificial beaches on the banks of the Seine in central Paris and the Bassin de la Villette, a man-made lake in the northeast of the city, have been a roaring success since they were launched by Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe in 2002. (Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images)
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As well as sand and views of central Paris’ architecture, Paris Plage offers sporting opportunities such as fencing, giant table-football, and open-air gyms looking out over the Seine, although this year the tighter health restrictions have limited some of the activities. (Kiran Ridley / Getty Images)
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A young boy enjoys the comedy “Le Grand Bain”, at La Villette on July 18. Cinemas have reopened in France, but occupancy levels remain very low. While the virus has been under control with fatalities and the number of people in intensive care falling, daily cases have increased ahead of the summer holiday season, Reuters reported. (Kiran Ridley / Getty Images)
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Parisians on the opening night of Paris Plages at La Villette on July 18 in Paris. “I really enjoy open-air cinema. It marks the beginning of the summer, and even if we already are in mid-July, for me it marks the beginning of the Parisian summer adventures,” 25-year-old Eloise Blomme told Reuters. (Kiran Ridley / Getty Images)
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Parisians during a screening at the floating cinema at La Villette, on July 18. Reuters reported that people heading to the opening of Paris Plages were met with Covid-19 testing centres using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests with a capacity to carry out 150 to 200 a day. (Kiran Ridley / Getty Images)
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