Free Ice Rink at City Hall

       Patinoire           

One of the many things the Paris city government has done in recent years to make living in the city more enjoyable has been the construction of a temporary ice-skating rink in front of the city hall during the winter months. Admission is free, but skate rental costs a couple of euro. There are free carrousels on either side of the rink, too (not shown here), for those who don’t like ice skating. As you can see, the rink is quite popular.

Beginning in 2001-2002, rinks have also been installed in some other locations during the holidays, such as near Montparnasse Station and near La Villette.

You are looking south in this photograph, which was taken on a heavily overcast afternoon (sorry, but that’s about the only kind of afternoon there is in winter!). Off in the background on the right, you can see the towers, roof, and spire of Notre-Dame Cathedral. On the left is the Hôtel de Ville, the Paris city hall. In the background behind the rink is a large video screen that shows scenes of life in Paris. Music is played at the rink also.

Photographed on December 31, 1999.