A summer tradition in Paris,
Paris Plage
It is being held in 2020!
In 2020, which is really strange, summer has come.
Paris is currently in a vacation mood.
Corona year's summer vacation this year,
How are the French doing?
I'm curious.
After researching my surroundings,
Even those who always travel abroad,
Most of the respondents said they would stay in France this year.
"If possible, at least go to Spain or Greece,
If you want to enjoy beautiful beaches (and cheaper prices than France),
It would be a problem if the borders were closed during vacation.”
That's the reason.
Fortunately, France is a country with a truly blessed land.
It has a rich variety of nature and rich cultural heritage.
"Cycling through the forests of the Auvergne,
I went back to my hometown in Avignon in the south of France,
While visiting my sister and her husband who live in La Rochelle by the sea,
Stop by a friend's villa in the Basque country..."
There was also a friend who told me about the plan.
You don't have to go out of the country to visit mountains, the sea, and gourmet food
There is no doubt that you will spend a rich vacation.
Furthermore, a trip to visit a friend's or relative's house
Don't worry about budget.
For those who stay in Paris like me, the Paris Tourism Office organizes
"Guided tour to rediscover Paris"
or go to the annual Paris Plage.
Guided tours and Paris Plage
I am glad that you can enjoy it for free.
I'm sure many of you are familiar with Paris Plage.
Paris Plage, where the banks of the Seine are transformed into a beach.
It started in 2002 and has been held every year since then as a summer tradition in Paris.
From a few years ago, not only along the Seine,
It is also held along the Uruk Canal,
The impression that this Paris Plage is more popular with Parisians.
During the restrictions on going out due to the corona misfortune,
I was wondering what this year's Paris Plage would be like,
It was successfully held again this year.
And as expected, the French who are good at adapting to circumstances,
What a performance suitable for corona year! (smile)
The panels that adorn the banks of the Seine,
Corona measures such as securing a safe distance,
Education content with humor.
And how
There is also a blue sky inspection office where you can get a PCR test and an antibody test for free!
Anyone can be tested without a doctor's referral or reservation.
So, there was a long line at the start at 14:00.
Not only for residents of Paris,
Both locals and foreigners were lined up.
I also had a PCR test done.
I was afraid of that long cotton swab, but the mayor of New York
"Look, it's that simple."
I remembered the demonstration called, and when I challenged with courage,
It was totally fine than I thought.
I entered without any discomfort,
I think the nurse in charge did a good job.
For the antibody test, a small amount of blood is collected by pricking your finger.
Stabbing the most sensitive fingertips in the body!
I was so scared I couldn't help it
"It's nothing compared to PCR."
As the nurse said, it certainly happened just for a moment.
Get a surgical mask
You get all this for free.
Thanks to the city of Paris.
As for the antibody test, I got the results on the spot.
There were two doctors who gave me a certificate.
The results of the PCR test will be delivered to your mobile phone at a later date.
The fact that you can do a corona test at Paris Plage,
Actually I didn't know
My second daughter told me.
Before she goes on vacation,
Before that, he wanted to know that he would not be the source of infection.
"Because some of my friends are working people,
It would be a problem if they were infected."
I want to go on vacation with peace of mind,
I think everyone thinks so.
In order to meet the expectations of
I found this handy blue sky test station useful!
In addition to the blue sky inspection station,
baby foot (tabletop football game),
giant chess etc.
There are of course other things to enjoy.
Next time, I will pick up a book by myself,
Or take a friend and bring a chilled rosé,
I want to spend time under the parasol.
Today, I took a walk along the Seine River.
Known as the best ice cream shop in Paris,
Eat ice cream at Bertillon,
Say hello to Notre Dame under restoration.
Paris, where there are almost no foreign tourists, is just the right amount of liveliness.
I wrote at the beginning,
"Even if you don't go out of your way to go abroad, you'll definitely be able to spend a rich vacation with mountains, the sea, and gourmet food."
So is Japan.
Japan is also a country with rich tourism resources.
As far as I hear news from Japan,
To fully enjoy its rich tourism resources,
It seems better to wait a little longer.
Because neither the sea nor the mountains escape...
We'll bring you another report from Paris in the summer!
Please look forward to it!
See you again, Abianto!
Keiko SUMINO-LEBLANC
Paris-based writer/coordinator Japanese-French translator
Moved to Paris in 1997.
After getting married and raising children in Paris, she is active as a freelance writer and coordinator.
As a journalist specializing in food and lifestyle,
Contributed to numerous magazines and media in France and Japan.
He also co-authored a book as a translator.
keiko's paris journal <Paris News - KSL> Updating the lifestyle of Paris