In Paris, the summers along the Seine are taking on a new, more upscale character as luxury clubs and recreational facilities emerge alongside the city’s longstanding public beach initiative. While thousands gather at Paris Plages, the temporary artificial beaches set up by local authorities since 2002, a parallel scene is developing for those seeking a more exclusive riverside experience.

Paris Plages draws millions of visitors each summer with public access to deckchairs, parasols, and sandy stretches designed to recreate a seaside atmosphere within the city. However, some city dwellers prefer a quieter environment akin to the private beach clubs of the French Riviera, such as those found in Saint-Tropez. Addressing this demand, private establishments like Annette K have appeared. Opened three years ago and situated on a barge docked on the Seine, Annette K offers members a 50-metre swimming pool, gym, rooftop bar, restaurant, and health and wellbeing services, including massages and consultations with sports doctors and physiotherapists. Membership costs €200 per month, though non-members can also reserve deckchairs for shorter periods at lower prices.

Corentin Giraud, a spokesman for Annette K, noted that the club was created to inject fresh vitality into a stretch of the riverbank in western Paris that previously hosted only a bar. For patrons like 41-year-old hairdresser Cécile Favreau, the club provides a peaceful retreat from the bustle of Paris Plages.

Further along the Seine, the upmarket trend continues with venues such as Foil in Paris, located in the 16th arrondissement. Members pay €285 monthly to access a swimming pool and can rent electric surfboards known as e-foils for €150 an hour, while non-members can pay €50 for pool access and limited e-foil sessions. Businessman Robin Nakache, 28, praised the experience, describing it as “fantastic” after a recent e-foil lesson.

Foil in Paris was launched by Nicolas Pernodet, who runs similar operations along France’s coasts. Project manager Nino Passavant highlighted that initial local hesitations about swimming in the Seine—a river long considered unclean—have diminished following a €1.4 billion clean-up ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics. The city has since opened three designated swimming zones along the river, with approximately 70,000 swimmers recorded last month alone.

To ensure safety, water quality at e-foil sessions is regularly monitored, and lessons are suspended if standards fall below acceptable levels. Despite occasional mishaps typical of beginners, such as one novice’s fall during a hands-free attempt, the new facilities reflect an evolving relationship between Parisians and the Seine, blending urban lifestyle with a prolonged holiday atmosphere.