What to do along the Seine this summer in Paris and the Île-de-France region? Walks, riverside dance halls, water activities… our ideas for outings near the water

As soon as the warm weather arrives, tourists and residents of the Île-de-France region gladly gather by the water. If you are visiting Paris, you will notice it quickly: the banks of the Seine fill up as soon as the first rays of sunshine appear!

Here are a few ideas for outings in Paris and the Île-de-France region, easily accessible by public transport, for anyone who wants to cool off and enjoy the water's edge this summer.

A paddleboarding, canoeing or kayaking trip on the Seine: ideal for a group outing or a solo adventure. Here are three ideas, depending on whether you're looking for wide open spaces or the convenience of a spot right in the city.

In the countryside, in Yvelines (78)
Several clubs offer supervised outings on the Seine, notably in Villennes-sur-Seine. A მშვიდ and green setting, perfect for a family getaway away from the hustle and bustle.
→ Access: Villennes-sur-Seine

In the heart of Paris, at the La Villette water sports center (19th arrondissement)
It's the only water sports center in Paris: you can rent kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards or rowing boats on the large basin in the 19th arrondissement. As part of Paris Plages (from July 4 to August 30, 2026), activities are free, every day from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., open to adults and teens aged 14 and over (provided they can swim). Equipment is provided.
→ Access: Jaurès, Laumière or Stalingrad

On a real lake, at the Créteil leisure island (94)
For a full day around a 40-hectare body of water: kayak, paddleboard, canoe, catamaran and sailing rentals (on summer weekends), a wave pool and large green spaces. Entry to the park and parking are free; water activities are paid.
→ Access: Créteil - Université then TVM bus, Base de loisirs de Créteil stop

Free pools

From July 4 to August 30, 2026, the City of Paris is opening free, supervised pools accessible without reservation, to cool off whenever temperatures rise.
Three swimming sites are set up directly in the Seine: bras Marie, Grenelle and Bercy. The La Villette basin and the Canal Saint-Martin complete the city's swimming offer.

• Bras Marie (Paris Centre, 4th arrondissement), between Pont Louis-Philippe and Pont Marie opposite Île Saint-Louis Pont Marie
• Bras de Grenelle (15th arrondissement), opposite Île aux Cygnes, with a view of the Eiffel Tower Bir-Hakeim
• Quai de Bercy (12th arrondissement), on both sides of the Simone-de-Beauvoir footbridge: Bercy Cour Saint-Émilion
• La Villette basin (19th arrondissement): Jaurès
• Canal Saint-Martin (10th arrondissement): Colonel Fabien

Good to know before you go swimming :
Access is free, supervised and without reservation.
You must be able to swim and be at least 1.20m tall, and children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Opening depends each day on water quality and the weather: remember to check paris.fr before you travel.
⚠️ At the beginning of August (from August 4 to 8, to be confirmed), bras de Grenelle hosts the European Open Water Swimming Championships: swimming is suspended or modified there that week.

Paris Plages

The Paris Plages event, from July 4 to August 30, takes place across two sites: the Parc des Rives de Seine and the La Villette basin — with deckchairs, sports activities, entertainment and supervised swimming, all with free access.

Still close to the Seine, several green spaces are perfect for a walk, a picnic, or relaxing outdoors:

• Parc de l'Île-Saint-Denis (Île-Saint-Denis, 93)
• Parc des Impressionnistes (Clichy, 92)
• Parc de Saint-Cloud (Saint-Cloud, 92)
• Parc de l'Île Saint-Germain (Issy-les-Moulineaux, 92)

To get there, find the best route with the route planner on the Bonjour RATP website or app!

Highlights: peaceful outing, shaded areas, ideal for a family picnic.

There is so much to see along the Seine! The scenery, sometimes urban and sometimes natural, can be enjoyed just as much on foot, by bike, or from a boat. Nothing is more relaxing than a trip on the water or a stroll along the quays!

You will easily find boat tours on the Seine, whether in Paris (the famous Bateaux-Mouches and sightseeing cruises) or outside the capital:

• between La Frette-sur-Seine (95) and Herblay-sur-Seine (95)
• in Villennes-sur-Seine (78)
• in Choisy-le-Roi (94)

For a simple walk along the quays, take a look around Carrières-sur-Seine (78) or follow the quays of the Marne (94) and Croissy-sur-Seine (78).

Also think of the guinguettes, which enliven the banks of the Seine and the Marne all summer long: ideal for ending the day in a friendly and festive atmosphere. You will find them on the Paris quays as well as in the riverside towns:

• Le bal de la Marine (Paris 7th arrondissement, Port de Suffren)
• L'Éphémère La Plage (Melun)
• La Rosa Bonheur sur Seine (Paris 7th arrondissement, Quai d'Orsay)
• La guinguette des étangs au bar Rose et Léon (Étangs de Hollande 78610)