Paris Transformed The Seine Into An Amazing One-Night-Only Floating Movie Theater
For the past two decades, the city of Paris has created temporary beaches along the Seine and the Bassin de la Villette during an event called Paris Plages (Paris beaches). For this year, though, the city decided to change up the usual summer events by creating the Cinema sur l'Eau on the bank of the Seine River for a one-night-only showing of Le Grand Bain.
Paris Plages Knows How To Adapt To A Pandemic
Countries around the world have been forced to adapt to changing regulations thanks to the ongoing pandemic, meaning businesses and organizations have had to get more creative as restrictions start to lift. Paris Plages 2020 was no exception, which is how the citizens of Paris ended up with a floating movie theater.
Whatever Floats Your Boat
The cinema on the water was announced as the premier attraction for Paris Plages 2020, as a one-night-only event on July 18th. In order to adhere to social distancing guidelines, the city provided 38 electric boats that would float in the river in front of the 50-foot-tall screen. Each boat accommodated two, four, or six people, who all had to be from the same group of family or friends, and groups were chosen through a raffle.
There Was Seating On Land, Too
For those who didn't enter the draw or who weren't lucky enough to score a spot in one of the boats, 150 chairs were set up along the shores of the Seine for groups of people to watch from while still maintaining social distancing. Guests were encouraged to bring their own snacks and drinks to enjoy during the movie as well.
Celebrating The Citizens And The Cinema
The event was meant to celebrate the end of lockdown in Paris and give the citizens of the city something to look forward to, while also reminding the rest of the world why Paris is considered to be one of the worldwide capitals of cinema. While it was under strange circumstances, it's possible that the cinema on the water could return for Paris Plages 2021!
