Top Spots for Sun Tanning in Paris

Top Spots for Sun Tanning in Paris

Paris’s lack of beaches doesn’t stop the public from taking to the public spaces for full on suntanning when the weather is good. In short, every public park or green space in the city is a suitable spot for sun tanning, as there are no regulations in place to prohibit anyone from lazing about in beach wear.

In the summer, almost all of the free guided walking tours around the city pass by district parks and recreation blocks where the grass is filled with picnickers, afternoon nappers and hoards of sun tanners!

Il Cottage in Paris – by Il Cottage – Uploaded by them

The top spots to tan are a few distinct spaces that offer optimum sun exposer as well as some sort of level of comfort in the process. You can only sit on the concrete next to the Canal Saint Martin for so long before it becomes one with the bones in your bum. Follow me…

Champ de Mars in Paris

The plush green grass that extends out from the Eiffel Tower is a dream for anyone needing to stretch out horizontally. Being the number one tourist attraction in the city, the grounds of the Champ de Mars are kept in a state of perpetual perfection; even in the winter this grass is more comfortable than most of the Parisian cafe chairs that line the streets.

Tanning is permitted at the Champ de Mars. In fact, on particular sunny days you’ll actually struggle to find gaps amongst the sun bathers in which to sit.

Champ de Mars – by Guillaume Speurt – Wikimedia Commons

Bring along your towels/blankets, cool drinks, snacks and a book to read. Try to avoid being the sun bathers that need to play their own music while sitting in a public space; the Champ de Mars will already have a few in the vicinity contributing to the overall noise pollution.

There are usually independent vendors who will come around the ground with cold water and other treats for you to purchase. If necessary, there are many cafes and restaurants (and ice cream parlors) in the surrounding neighborhoods within walking distance.

Il Cottage in Paris

Il Cottage is a fantastic concept rooftop in the far west of the city, right on the edge of the Bois du Boulogne. Being so far from the center, there are ample spots in this part of town with enough space for sun tanning to take place.

Il Cottage is a frist floor rooftop that features a bar, a restaurants and an entire quadrant dedicated to sun tanning. The idea was to create an urban recreational space in the city where island/beach living could be simulated despite the lack of water.

Il Cottage in Paris – by Il Cottage – Uploaded by them

The rooftop provides rows of sun loungers and reclining chairs, and offers cocktail service throughout the day. They even have piles of sun hats that bathers can make use of while sitting outside.

The restaurant and bar are undercover and offer welcome shelter from the blazing heat when it’s time to refresh. Il Cottage are famous for their pizzas.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday: 12pm to 12am

ADDRESS: 1 Boulevard Lannes, 75116 Paris, France

METRO STATION: Porte Dauphine / Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny

Tuileries Gardens in Paris

The Tuileries are a haven to the 1st arrondissement. While most people come here with the intention of tanning somewhere on the lawns, they are usually pleasantly surprised to find chairs situated right on the lake.

The seats don’t recline, but if you can pull up two and use one for your bum and one for your feet, you’ve got the closest thing to a sun lounger.

Tuileries – by Kris Atomic – Unsplash

Note that there are multiple lakes and ponds throughout the gardens. The biggest and main one is in the west of the garden, near the Orangerie Museum. Here you’ll find the most seating space. Try to arrive early on particularly hot days so you can ensure a spot.

Entrance into the Tuileries is completely free and the space remains open until 9pm every day.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday: 7am to 9pm

ADDRESS: Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris, France

METRO STATION: Tuileries

Bois du Boulogne in Paris

The Bois du Boulogne is the largest public park in all of Paris, estimated to be twice the size of New York’s Central Park. As you can imagine, this entire space is suitable for sun tanning and offers something most other Parisian parks can’t… privacy.

Being the size that it is, the Bois du Boulogne is made up of many different plots, hills and natural reserves. There are main areas that will always have people in them, and then if you move a little deeper there are hidden, isolated grounds and secret lawns where one can embrace solitude.

Bois du Boulogne in Paris – by Fæ – Wikimedia Commons

This is a place in which you settle into for the better part of the day. Be sure to take along all that you might need while you are here: books, towels, refreshments etc. There are a few water and crepe vendors around the grounds and a small cafe near the entrance.

Take some cash along and consider renting one of the boats on the lake for a few hours! This is a great place to tan from too, and you can stick your feet over the side of the boat to cool down.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday: 12:30pm to 8pm

ADDRESS: Campo Mártires da Pátria 50, 1150-317 Lisboa, Portugal

METRO STATION: Intendente

Paris-Plages in Paris

Every summer, the city of Paris sets up numerous artificial beaches along the banks of the Seine and along the Bassin de la Villette in the northeast of the city.

The set up involves masses of beach sand/artificial grass and the construction of sun loungers, chairs and umbrellas all thought the space. The facilities are absolute free to use.

Paris Plages – by p e z i – Wikimedia Commons

Swimming in the Seine is not permitted, so you’ll have to be content with simply sun tanning on the edge. Refreshment vendors will come past and you’re allowed to bring along whatever you need to make yourself comfortable.

The exact locations for the beaches along the Seine change yearly and must be confirmed through one’s nearest city hall.