Parisians need not go to faraway places for a beach holiday this summer, as the annual transformation of a section of the Seine River into a man-made beach opened for the tenth year on July 21, 2011.

Paris Plages (Paris Beaches) is the yearly makeover of Seine’s banks into sandy beaches to hook tourists and city dwellers to the French capital during summers, when most of them escape to seaside for holidays.

The beach atmosphere, on the banks of the Seine in central Paris and the Bassin de la Villette, features swimming pools overlooking the Seine, stretches of imported sand, palm tress and the like.

The event will run through August 21 bringing a host of sporting and cultural activities for the public. Start the slideshow to view amazing pictures of the so-called “Seine-side holiday” over the past few years.

A Seine-side holiday
People walk along banks of the Seine river during the opening of "Paris Plages" (Paris Beaches) in Paris July 21, 2011. Paris Plages, the yearly transformation of a section of the Seine river into a man-made beach, opened today for its 10th anniversary and will run from July 21 to August 21 bringing the beach atmosphere to the French capital. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
A Seine-side holiday
People walk along banks of the Seine river during the opening of "Paris Plages" (Paris Beaches) in Paris July 21, 2011. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
A Seine-side holiday
People walk along banks of the Seine river during the opening of "Paris Plages" (Paris Beaches) in Paris July 21, 2011. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
A Seine-side holiday
People protect themselves from the rain under umbrellas as they walk along banks of the Seine river during the opening of "Paris Plages" (Paris Beaches) in Paris July 21, 2011. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
A Seine-side holiday
A child lies on a beach mattress as "Paris Plages" (Paris Beaches) opens along banks of the Seine river in Paris July 21, 2011. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
A Seine-side holiday
People relax on giant deckchairs as "Paris Plages" (Paris Beaches) opens along banks of the Seine river in Paris July 21, 2011. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
A Seine-side holiday
People enjoy the sun as "Paris Plages" (Paris Beach) opens along the banks of the River Seine in Paris July 20, 2010. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
A Seine-side holiday
People enjoy the sun as "Paris Plages" (Paris Beach) opens along the banks of the River Seine in Paris July 20, 2010. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
A Seine-side holiday
People enjoy the sun as "Paris Plages" (Paris Beach) opens along the banks of the River Seine in Paris July 20, 2010. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
A Seine-side holiday
A woman enjoys the sun as "Paris Plages" (Paris Beach) opens along the banks of the River Seine in Paris July 20, 2010. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
A Seine-side holiday
Two people enjoy the sun as "Paris Plages" (Paris Beach) opens along the banks of the River Seine in Paris July 20, 2010. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer
A Seine-side holiday
People enjoy the sun as "Paris Plages" (Paris Beaches) opens along banks of the River Seine in Paris July 21, 2008. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
A Seine-side holiday
People enjoy the sun as "Paris Plages" (Paris Beach) opens along the banks of the River Seine in Paris July 20, 2010. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer