Heating up the Quai Saint Bernard (again)

[Deleted]

I already made a report or two about the dancing on the Quai Saint Bernard a couple of years back, but I find it impossible not to want to see it regularly -- a place where Parisians meet just to have fun, old married couples, young couples, people who are a couple just for the evening, football widows finding their own amusements, lonely immigrants who suddenly exist because they know the moves -- and none of it costs one centime.

With our current temporary heat wave, I knew it would be worth a visit last night, so I watched the 8 o'clock news and then I jumped on a Vélib to cross town. The sun had just set as I crossed the bridge to the Left Bank.

Hah! I got the very last available hitching post at the Institut du Monde Arabe. About 8 other people on bikes arrived just as I was walking away. Out of luck!

I have visited the Institut du Monde Arabe several times. I even organised a company dinner there for the employees. But I still don't know what this thing is.

I crossed the quay and passed through the zone where hundreds of people were finishing their picnics.













The Ile Saint Louis was also full of picnickers.





The Bateaux-Mouches had their annoying lights on.





Of course the dancing had begun.









[photobucket height=480 width=640]http://s450.photobucket.com/albums/qq228/kerouac2/Quai%20St%20Bernard/?action=view¤t=6fdddea6.pbw[/photobucket]

[Deleted]

A lot of it was muy caliente, but that was the whole point.









Some of the boats are less aggressive.





It was a lovely way to spend a hot night. But here is what you are waiting for. Action!

[bjd]

So did you put your camera away and dance too?

[fumobici]

That is a wonderful thing.

[koloagirl]

Aloha from Kaua'i!

What a wonderful photo montage! Paris in the heat - looks fabulous!

Jeez....I had no idea that Bateaux Mouche had such horrendous floodlights! I have decided upon doing a Seine River tour at night next month and due to several reasons, have decided upon Bateaux Mouche - but I'll feel bad about the lights they use

Wonderful photos - makes me salivate just looking at them!

Malama Pono (take care)
Janet

[Deleted]

back to get a bike... to go to Gare de Lyon and take the bus home!

[lagatta]

Yes, if you took your Vélib all the way home, you'd get quite a workout, going uphill on those heavy bicycles. Not so much fun after dancing.

[Going Round Again]

Interesting to see that the quality of graffiti is the same in France as elsewhere - just as intrusive and as objectionable and as much an eyesore. Not to mention those lights on the barges - offensive!

Love the sunsets. Love the quai-side feeling. Love the dancing - echoes of Fete de la Musique. Isn't it great to see that Parisians don't wait for just one day a year to express themselves!!

This little photo essay ought to be an entry in the TA thread for financiallychallenged visiting - what a great way to be part of the everyday life of Parisians

[lola]

Very cool, K. City living at its finest, truly.

Is there an area where women can stand and wait to be asked? Be sized up for dancing seriousness based on footwear and so forth? Or do you get the impression these are established partners?

My 21 year old daughter last fall liked salsa dancing Sunday afternoons at Barrio Latino, near Place Bastille. Tuesday evenings Bateau Concorde Atlantique, Port de Solférino, Quai Anatole France. The boat stays docked, I think.

Those cost money of course, and lack the public magic of the quai, but at least not weather dependent.