Paris in August

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A special essay by Joanna Robertson on the sights, smells, sounds - and perks - of summer in the French captial. Introduced by Pascale Harter. One of the delights of city life is how the changing seasons can create a different atmosphere in familiar places. Today's programme is devoted to being in Paris - not in springtime, as the song says, but right now, in August. Contrary to popular perception, it's not entirely true that Parisians abandon the city to the hordes of tourists - as Joanna Robertson finds. Each year the banks of the Seine are converted into "Paris-Plages", long sandy beaches complete with palm trees for those residents who haven't decamped to the real seaside. There are special film and theatre festivals. And other urban pleasures are still to be found - although many still choose to pull down their shutters and leave for the month. (Image: People enjoy the sun on a "Paris Plage" by the Seine. Credit: Reuters / Charles Platiau)