Paris-Plages started off as just Paris-Plage; one beach, complete with sand, deckchairs and petanque for all, on the Rive Droite (the right bank) in 2002.  It was an immediate hit with the locals, and in 2006 another was added, this time on the Rive Gauche (left bank).  Every year, this arrangement has grown in popularity and increased the amount of activities on offer, with millions visiting the beaches each year.
    As mentioned above, there are two beaches to choose from, and both have their advantages.  To start with, both are completely pedestrianised, doing away with at least part of the multitudinous traffic that continually clogs up the roads of Paris.  With a stretch of sand for games and sunbathing and a stretch of pathway to rollerblade down, the areas which have been taken over are very appealing indeed.
    The first beach is 3km long and is known as the “historical” beach.  It runs from the Louvre to Pont de Sully, so if you’re visiting this beach you could tie it into a bit of a historical tour before collapsing on a deckchair to relax afterwards.  For example, this stretch of the Seine takes in the Ile de la Cite, the Notre-Dame and the Ile Saint-Louis, to say nothing of the Louvre itself, the Hotel de Ville, the Tuileries a little further along and the Latin quarter on the other side of the river. As for what you can get up to on this particular stretch of beach, understanding that swimming in the Seine is not really the way to achieve health and hygiene, they’ve gone the whole hog and put in a swimming pool.  This is an inspired idea – the whole brilliance of a beach is that you can jump in the water and wash the sand off.  There’s also a concert stage which books artists to entertain you, and if you fancy something a bit more active there’s a climbing wall, rollerblading, tai-chi and petanque.  
    The second, and newer, beach runs from around the Jaures metro stop up to the Rue de Crimee, known as La Villette.  While the beach area is much shorter, the area leaves the traditional sunbathing/volleyball stuff to the first beach and has used this one for a water sports extravaganza.  There are sailboats, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats for those who want to get active on the water.  There’s also 53,000 square feet of water to exploit here, with instructors on hand to help, and much of the equipment is free to use.  This area is also nice because there are plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants on the side of the water to refresh yourself in after your exertions.  
    Both beaches tend to be open from 8am until midnight, and they’ve made the effort to make both beaches as accessible as possible to wheelchairs.  Just a couple of things to bear in mind if you want to avoid a run in with the Paris authorities: unlike many beaches in France, this one isn’t condoning topless sunbathing, so if you want to get rid of your strap lines you’ll have to find another way.  Likewise, next to the historic beach there really is no swimming in the Seine, though why you’d want to is a mystery.