Can anyone provide general information about the organized skating group in Paris on Friday nights?

Everything you need to know should be on this site.

http://www.pari-roller.com/

perfect! Thanks Jeff49

Here's more rollerblading info

http://www.pidf.com/an-world/u_3/home346.asp

Excellent references, thank you.

Have either of you (or anyone else) tried the Friday night skate?

How hard is it? Does it move quickly? Does the three hours fly by, or seem long? Can you stop at any point?

While I'm a pretty good skater (lived on the boardwalk in Venice Beach, CA for a few years) I'm a bit rusty -- not being able to use my skates much on these adorable provencal cobblestone streets! I'm planning on going this Friday while I'm in Paris and would like to hear from someone who has had the experience.

I haven't done it but have seen it -- yes, it looks pretty rigorous and fast and covers quite a distance. I think there is one for the lesser skaters on a different day or night, but don't know details on that. It is for experienced good skaters only, and is quite rigorous (covers 25 km).

As for whether you can stop -- I don't see why not, it's on a public street and they can't force you to keep skating if you don't want, but you will have to make sure you observe protocol and aren't a hazard for others (either skating or stopping). They also usually have some injuries and I think some first aid people around in case of accidents, I remember seeing them follow them. If you're just in Paris on a visit, I probably wouldn't bother as you'll have to lug your skates to/from Paris.

Is there something like this for a much younger group of children and their slow moving parents? It looks and sounds like a fun experience, but I fear that my husband and daughter are not experienced enough skaters to make this event. My daughter saw the site and thought it was a great thing to do in Paris. Any suggestions for safe and slow any where in Paris on blades?
Thank you
Anna

...just back from the Friday Night Fever Skate and it was fast -- and hairy at times. I did learn that there is a similar activity but for beginners and/or children on Sunday afternoons. That might be what you're looking for.

Hi Babette,

A co-worker did the Sunday skate (last July) because it was an easier skate than the Friday night one. She said there were 15,000 people skating! The skaters go in groups and she stayed toward the back because she didn't want to be near the expert skaters in the front of the crowd. The police would keep the skating group together by stopping the people in front and allowing those at the end to catch up.

If you find that you've had enough and haven't finished the circuit yet you can stop at any time.

adrienne

If I rememeber, the parks (Bois de Vincennes) were gravel paths - I don't recall seeing any good sites like N. American cities have.

There were a group of psycho skaters in the square just north of the Louvre doing jumps and tricks and playing tag. I have NEVER seen anyone before or since stop by turning bith skates sideways as if they were on ice skates, while going full speed. I did see one slam in to t atourist and knock him down, so be careful if you're in the area.

annamo, the site that RonZ gives lists different locations for skating around the city. Perhaps your daughter would prefer that over the organized outing? Otherwise, skating in the streets is tough (unless you're a really good skater) because of traffic and those beautiful ancient COBBLESTONES!!

Since this post (nice followup by Babette), I found the web site for the easier Sunday skate. It is:

www.rollers-coquillages.org

It is 2:30 pm Sunday at place de la Bastille (about 3 hr skate).