PARIS — Central Paris is getting painted a special mixture of purple, white and blue subsequent summer season.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo introduced Thursday that to rejoice the 250th birthday of the U.S. in 2026, Paris Plages — an annual occasion during which the French capital transforms the banks of the Seine to offer them an out of doors, beach-like environment for the summer season — would open on July 4 and rejoice America all through the summer season.
Paris Plages started in 2002 and for the primary time this summer season included public swimming due to a €1.4 billion effort to scrub up the famed river.
“It’s the proper event to rejoice our unbelievable and powerful relationship with the US of America,” Hidalgo stated alongside U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner at a information convention. “As Parisians we’re very proud that our metropolis holds a particular place within the story of the US.”
Hidalgo additionally stated the Eiffel Tower would gentle up on the Fourth of July within the colours of the American flag.
The announcement was timed to coincide with the 249th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s arrival to France looking for help for the American Revolution. “As Parisians we’re very proud that our metropolis holds a particular place within the story of the US,” Hidalgo stated.
France is the US’ oldest ally, and the Franco-American alliance will flip 250 years previous in 2028.
But regardless of these centuries of shared historical past, the French aren’t all the time keen on their companions throughout the Atlantic. A survey revealed over the summer season by the Pew Analysis Basis discovered that simply 36 p.c of respondents in France had a good opinion of the U.S., down 10 p.c from a 12 months prior.
That hasn’t stopped Individuals from trekking to Paris in droves, although. The Metropolis of Lights welcomed extra American vacationers than these from another nation final 12 months.