Paris Plages, the annual transformation of the banks of the River Seine into an artificial seaside, which was opened on Monday, offering low cost relaxation to Parisians hit by the financial crisis.
All the activities are free of charge and a special effort has been made this year to keep the price of refreshments down. Ice creams will cost no more than 1 euro ($1.42).

The idea is to offer something to families who aren't going on holiday, a spokesperson of the organizer said.

For making the event, which is now in its eighth year, more exciting the organizer have unloaded hundreds of tons of sand in central Paris and at the Bassin de la Villette, a man-made lake in the northeast of the city.

Lots of people come here because they're not going on holiday, which I think is great. It offers a little holiday because you do feel somewhere else, a Parisian Beach user said.

Have a look at some of the exciting beach holiday on Paris Plages.

Paris Plages PICTURES
People enjoy the sun as "Paris Plages" (Paris Beaches) opens along the banks of the River Seine in Paris July 20, 2009. REUTERS
Paris Plages PICTURES
A woman protects herself from the rain under an umbrella as she walks along banks of the Seine river during the opening of "Paris Plages" (Paris Beaches) in Paris July 21, 2011. REUTERS
Paris Plages PICTURES
People protect themselves from the rain under umbrellas as they walk along banks of the Seine river during the opening of "Paris Plages" (Paris Beaches) in Paris July 21, 2011. REUTERS
Paris Plages PICTURES
People enjoy the sun as "Paris Plages" (Paris Beaches) opens along the banks of the River Seine in Paris July 20, 2009. REUTERS
Paris Plages PICTURES
A placard "Paris Plages" is pictured along banks of the Seine river during the opening of "Paris Plages" (Paris Beaches) in Paris July 21, 2011. REUTERS
Paris Plages PICTURES
A woman and her children play with sand next to a giant deckchair as "Paris Plages" opens along banks of the Seine river in Paris REUTERS
Paris Plages PICTURES
People walk through a fine mist of water as "Paris Plages" opens along banks of the Seine river in Paris REUTERS