For those of us spending summer in Paris, finding a nice spot to tan worry-free can be a struggle. But no fear, we’ve gathered our top picks for tanning spots across the city, whether you prefer in a park, on a reclining chair, or at the beach.
Top photo: Jardin du Luxembourg – Bernard Laguerre. Above: Tyler Nix
Parked on the quai near Bibliotheque François Mitterand, Le Petit Bain is a boat that serves as an event space at night and cantine/bar during the day. Open from noon to midnight, you can grab a chair and a drink while floating over the Seine.
Le Petit Bain – 7 Port de la Gare, 75013 Paris
Le Petit Bain
Often referred to as the “only rooftop on the first floor” by its owners, this terrasse space has a bar and restaurant and a section dedicated to sunbathing. You can tan and enjoy one of their famous #yopizzas afterwards.
Il Cottage – 1 Boulevard Lannes, 75016 Paris
Il Cottage
Bois de Vincennes
Grab a vélib and bike down the Seine towards the Bois de Vincennes. On the border of the 12th arrondissement, this park has a forest, a château, a zoo, and plenty of long stretches of grass where you can lay out to your heart’s content.
Bois de Vincennes – Route de la Pyramide, 75012 Paris
Bois de Vincennes – Guilhem Vellut
Grande Halle de la Villette
Paris’ Halle de la Villette is an event space and park in the 19th arrondissement. The park is perfect for tanning during the day, and if you stick around after sunset, it turns into an outdoor cinema.
Grande Halle de la Villette – 211 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris
Parc de la Villette – Florence Levillain
Jardin du Luxembourg
This just may be the best place in central Paris to tan and people watch at once. Grab a chair near the fountain and bronze peacefully all afternoon.
Jardin du Luxembourg, 75006 Paris
Jardin du Luxembourg – kimdokhac / elBidule
Bonus
If you happen to have a car, you can drive 40km out of the city to the Base de Loisirs de Jablines for a day at a lake beach. The center is family friendly and entry is just 7€ per person.
Base de Loisirs de Jablines, 77450 Jablines
Base de Loisirs de Jablines – Nadine Blanchard
Related Links
- While you’re tanning, have a listen to these French podcasts.
- Looking for somewhere to go out? Check out Paris’ new summer hangouts.
- Paris Tourist Office tells you where you can find sunny swimming pools in Paris.
Written by Lory Martinez for HiP Paris. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, Tuscany, Umbria or Liguria? Check out Haven In.

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