Beach fun comes to Paris each summer on the banks of River Seine and the St Martin Canal – and this year there is a more practical addition with drop-in COVID-19 centers.

The summer feel is brought to the capital so residents can relax in their deck chairs and dream that they are on the French Riviera.

The 'beaches' have swimming zones, areas for pedalos, places to play the traditional French bowls game, pétanque, plus bars and cafes.

There is also a 'drive-in' open-air cinema with sun loungers instead of traditional movie-theater seats.

This year there are also coronavirus testing centers, as Paris tries to control the spread of the virus, and they are proving a big success.

"It is easier here than in private labs where you have to make an appointment and it is very expensive," one of those being tested told CGTN Europe. 

"Here it is free, paid for by local authorities and I just live around the corner."

A woman waiting in the queue for a free test said: "I live in Madrid and I am about to go back home in a few days so I wanted to get a test to make sure I wouldn't infect other people there."

France is going through a surge in the number of coronavirus cases right now. Many people want the reassurance that they are not sick and so do not have to self-isolate.

"I'm going on holiday next week and just as a precaution to make sure I am healthy, that's it really," said Charlotte Pleasants, an actor.

"I'm not actually sick at all, so it's a precautionary measure."

The French government had already warned people that holidays would be disrupted. Pop-up pandemic test centers along the River Seine show just how different this summer is.

Check out our new six-part podcast series Notes on a Pandemic as CGTN Europe finds out how business, science and people have risen to the challenge of COVID-19.