Paris Plage

Plans to pedestrianise a stretch of the Left Bank in Paris could spell traffic chaos for the French capital, regularly ranked among Europe's most congested cities, a report said on Thursday.

French police have warned Parisians to keep their clothes on or face fines and even imprisonment as residents began flocking to parks and the banks of the River Seine to bask in the summer sun.

Bad blood between revellers and residents already grouchy at noise levels in the capital's trendy quarters has curdled since the smoking ban took effect in nightlife spots in January 2008, a year after other public places.

Forget pastis-sozzled old men of Provence _ from Paris to Saint-Tropez, petanque is swank. French elegance it isn't, but this summer French boules are cool.

PARIS (Reuters) - Paris Plages, the annual transformation of the banks of the River Seine into an artificial seaside, opened on Monday, offering low cost relaxation to Parisians hit by the financial crisis.

Downtown Paris transforms into beach resort for the masses in summer ritual. Families headed for the beach in the landlocked French capital on Monday for this year's launch of Paris Plages, which turns the Seine's urban riverbanks into sandy shores complete with palm trees and lounge chairs.