Summer in Paris: Top Spots to Tan in the City

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

Le Petit Bain

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

Il Cottage

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 12^th 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 19^th 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.