Sunday in Paris
 

Thanks for the info re my posting on what Parisians would do on a Sunday in May. What amazed me was that there was no mention of any outdoor, athletic, physical activity such as bicycling, skating, hiking, volley ball, etc. Are you all saying that the Parisians are all talk & consume and no action & "do"?

Of course they "do." You'll see roller bladers across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. Bicycle races are known to close down parts of the city. Runners and walkers can be seen in all of the parks. And there are public, indoor pools for those who want to swim.

It's true that Parisians are less sports minded than many other city dwellers. However there is a very dense network of "Club Med" gyms which are often fully packed for various athletic activities.

And "Aquaboulevard" is always full as well. Playing tennis usually means a trip to the suburbs (don't let those tennis courts in the Luxembourg gardens fool you), and since most Parisians don't have cars, it often seems like more trouble than it's worth -- hauling all the equipment in the metro or train, plus the sweaty return.

Something that should bring about big changes starting in July 2007 is the installation of the 20,000 municipal bicycles spread out over more than 1000 bicycle stations in the streets of Paris. The bicycle stations are being installed at the moment, and for the inauguration of the scheme, there should be 750 stations in operation with 11,000 bicyles on July 15. You pick up the bicycles anywhere 24/7 and you leave them in any other station. A yearly subscription for Parisians will be only 29 euros. (www.velib.paris.fr)

The city of Lyon pioneered the system, and apparently it is a big success.

Of course they "do", cimbrone, but if I wanted a tourist to see San Franciscans on a Sunday, as opposed to all the tourists, I would walk them along the embarcadero or crissy field, hike along lands end, take them bicycling, walking, etc in golden gate park. But the impression I am getting is that Parisians tend to stroll, go to cafes, and shop in outdoor markets, all of which are great, but where can I see and experience the active, vitale Paris?

For roller blading and skateboarding - yes opposite the Eiffel in front of Palais d Chaillot, and in front of Opera-Bastille and trick biking too and in front of Bercy metro station.
Walking is the traditional Sunday activity in France it seems outside of Paris, where there may not be enough inviting open spaces to induce folks to take a hike.
But if you go to parks like Buttes Chaumont, Luxembourg Gardens, Bois de Boulogne, you will see lots of activity.

<i>&quot;...Parisians tend to stroll, go to cafes, and shop in outdoor markets, all of which are great, but where can I see and experience the active, vitale Paris?...&quot;</i>

- you just described it!
but seriously, it's my understanding that Sunday is still 'family' day and people spend time visiting family, maybe friends, probably mostly indoors.

kerouac--We are headed to Paris in late June and DD just asked if there was anywhere to play tennis. She is adamant that she wants to play while on vacation. Any suggestions of places for her?

&gt;What amazed me was that there was no mention of any outdoor, athletic, physical activity....Are you all saying that the Parisians are all talk &amp; consume and no action &amp; &quot;do&quot;?&lt;

What fraction of the people in your home town engage in strenuous physical activity on Sunday?

((I))

Here is a list of the municipal tennis courts in Paris - by arrondissement

http://www.paris.fr/portail/Sport/Po...t?page_id=5073

Tennis is not the easiest sport to play in Paris.

Thanks, lawchick -- I would have looked it up, but it gets really tiring after awhile....

YOu are aware that most people do not roller-blade? This is a big major city -- do you see thousands of Manhattanites roller-blading and bicycling around the city on Sunday? What's with the volleyball, that's a beach activity where I'm from.

Some young men roller blade on the big blvds in the 11th arr, like bd Voltaire.

Anyway, besides the municipal courts, there are the deluxe &quot;Forest Hill&quot; private courts. Probably some others as well. In the suburbs, there is a whole sports/tennis complex in Port Marly, &quot;Les Pyramides&quot;, created by Ilie Nastase (I don't know if he still invests in it.).

Thank you, I will check out that site.