Bonjour!
I am traveling to Paris during the month of June and was wondering if people use hammocks. Not to sleep in overnight. I have an apartment for that. But are there trees where I will be allowed to set up my hammock and just relax for a few hours? Perhaps in one of the Jardins or around the Eiffel Tower?
No idea really, but I have seen police chase tourists off of grass areas where they are not supposed to be. Some parks you can be on the grass, some you can't, but I have a feeling about this hammock idea-I'd be surprised if they let that slide.
Unless you have a private yard, I'd say no.
No, this will not be allowed. That's not say that you can't try but if a policeman sees you, you will be asked to remove the hammock. Is setting up hammocks allowed in parks in big cities anywhere?
People set up things like tightropes between trees at parks in Seattle, but I would not try that in Paris. Better to sit on a bench, or on the grass in those parks that allow it.
You may have difficulty fitting your hammock in your carry on luggage. Mine has wooden stretchers at both ends and I'm sure that that wouldn't fit. The whole thing is fairly heavy too.
I grew up right next to Central Park in NYC. City parks are too intensely used, and too fragile a resource to risk the damage that could occur from daily bark damage caused by eccentric indulgences. For example, I noticed that NYC has given up on growing grass in many softball infields. The expense and usage are both too great. You can't repair a girdled tree.
Oh, Nigel. What an image of you walking around Paris with your Pawley's Island rope hammock, looking for the right trees. I'm pretty sure the OP means something like this:
You know, just some dudes hanging in hammocks in a dome.
People set up things like tightropes between trees at parks in Seattle...
Those are a common sight at Parc de la Tête d'Or in Lyon. I don't recall ever seeing a hammock, though. It probably would be acceptable there as long as it wasn't damaging anything or posing a risk to others, and as long as you pack it up and take it with you when you leave. I can't say about Paris, but I suspect in the small and even the larger parks (Champs de Mars, Luxembourg, Tuilieries) it would not be allowed. Perhaps in Bois de Boulogne?
I try not to pass judgment, but that's a pretty odd question. Almost as strange as the fellow the other day inquiring what kinds of weapons he could take into different South American countries.
Are you kidding. This is a country that until fairly recently had park attendants who yelled at you if you stepped on the grass in the manicured parks. Some of the parks and squares are still locked up at night with an attendants' family in a provided house. However, there is a camp ground in the Bois de Boulogne. You could probably hang it there or in the Bois de Vincennes but beware the nocturnal activities.
"... but beware the nocturnal activities"
Bets, that's proof positive there's a nice way to say just about anything ;-)
Thank you, Dave. I do stand corrected on one thing, however. My husband reminded me that the park guards used to blow a loud whistle before telling you to get off the grass. It was "Pélouse Interdite" everywhere.
That's right, it was the whistle that made us spin around in time to see the French officer shouting (in French, of course) to the German tourist. He did not understand, and the cop wound up striding across the grass to escort said tourist off. No hammock was harmed in the process.
I remember us getting reprimanded with the whistle when we wandered on to the grass in a Paris park once. Then the guard waggled his forefinger at us, as if we were naughty children. Loved it.
So glad I asked. Thank you all very much.
Now, I am curious to know where you live that people set up hammocks in public places to relax for a few hours. Could you tell us, and tell us how its done. Is it a custom, a long tradition? It occurred to me that you may be from a country where this is a something people do commonly, and we know nothing about it or your culture.
Ah yes, memories of inadvertently stepping on the grass at Versailles to take a photo of one of the fountains...big no no!
But are there trees where I will be allowed to set up my hammock and
just relax for a few hours? Perhaps in one of the Jardins or around
the Eiffel Tower?
You want the Place des Vosges. It's in the heart of Paris' hammock district.
FastEddie!!!
If you attempt it, I would like to see the video. Walking on grass is an offense punishable by death in France. :) It just is not done. and who would want to lug a hammock around, a ground cloth for a picnic on the permitted areas near the Tour Eiffel is a perfect place to relax...everyone goes on the grass there...but most of the other areas are "gardens" which means keep off the grass, look do not touch. :)
FastEddie... brilliantly funny.
I highly doubt it!!! Even if you move a little green metal park chair to the wrong place you will immediately be told to move it back!! There is no way they will let you hang your hammock anywhere.
I'll probably get yelled at for suggesting this but one place you might want to try is Versailles...the grounds around the palace are absolutely HUGE and there are plenty of secluded, forested places along wheat fields and lovely gardens way out in the back-40 that are quite remote and not frequented...that's my two cents! Grab a picnic lunch, rent a bike at the back of the chateau, ride 10 or 15 minutes away from the chateau, hang up your hammock, and see what happens!!
There are hammocks available in the parks on both banks of the Seine. Right bank below the Hotel de Ville, left bank, from the Orsay onto Pont de l 'Alma. No need to haul your own hammock
Don't worry, Buttercup! I understand! In the Bay Area, people put up slacklines and hammocks between trees frequently (I recently got a Bear Butt hammock which you can put up and take down in about five minutes, perhaps quickly enough to evade the gendarmes?) and it's no problem. Generally, the people who do so do it respectfully, trying not to overstress the trees. Still, in Paris, I would guess that your best bet would be parks that are out of the way and a bit more eccentric - maybe Parc des Buttes Chaumont? It's wilder and has lots of less-traveled regions, and the park-goers are a lot like the park, less fussy and a bit more offbeat - it's no fastidiously groomed and sign-posted Jardin de Luxembourg or Tuileries, and I love it for that reason. As for everyone else's questions, my hammock weighs a couple of pounds and fits in the palms of my hands (hammock in one, straps in the other). It's not hard to pack for a trip. It also uses softer and wider straps instead of thin rope, which makes it a bit easier on the trees. There's a lot of information out there about people who do long thru-hikes, such as the Appalachian trail, sleeping in hammocks instead of tents. And on warm, lazy afternoons, you can't beat kicking back and reading in a hammock. Happy travels!
I've only ever seen hammocks along the Seine during the Paris Plages. Have I missed them?? Paris Plages 2017 runs from July 22 to August 13th, so unless I've missed some year-round hammocks, you'll have to catch them during their limited late summer run.
Bets, I'm just remembering that I did not answer your question. I live in Lafayette, LA, USA. We have a huge outdoor culture, where hammocks have become a major thing of late. They are not bug or bulky, some weight about a pound, and can be put up in a few minutes as long as you have two trees that are close enough together. They are very popular around campus because college students can take a nap between classes without having to go all the way home. Much more comfortable than a bench!
Fast Eddy, I see you're a funny man, lol.
I did end up leaving my hammock at home, Ie sigh. But have been having such a great time in Paris that I don't think I've missed it. Thank you all so much for the replies!
oh my gosh I wondered what made this post resurface again!! Rats Butrcup79, I expected a link to a photo of you chilling in your hammock in the Luxembourg Gardens!!
anyway glad you're having a great time, even sans hammock!
Thanks for the follow up butrcup 79. Down in Lafayette it sounds perfect. So glad you are enjoying Paris. Hope you can do a bit of a trip report one day.
Haaaaa, funny. They will either burn you at the stake or think you are sympa', and assume it is performance art.
Hello, it is a city of high culture not hacky sacks and sandals...
Travel light, and a hammock doesn't qualify...just crash out in the chairs at the Tuileries like all the French office workers on their two hour lunch break....two chairs facing one another with feet up LOL
Came to this page because I had the same question. It appears I won't be bringing a hammock with me, but I can tell you that in Minnesota (where I am from) and in D.C. (where I live now) people set up hammocks in the public parks all the time! Great way to get out and enjoy the outdoors, doesn't hurt anyone (use common sense when setting up and you don't hurt the trees), and the hammocks you can pick up from REI or the like are very light and portable.
Yes, but the problem is that the agents will not let you set up a hammock stand on the grass.
You can use a blanket, though.
