Paris, a skating dream...
(October 2003)

In October 2003, two inline skaters from St.Petersburg, Russia visited Paris. And made sure that Paris is a real skating dream.

Once upon a time, Liarry (Ann) asked local skaters (from St.Petersburg) if (and where) you can skate in Paris. In fact, I referred to several links, related to inline skating in Paris (group skates, places to skate, etc.). Some web sites contain such info in French only, so Liarry asked me to help with translations. During our further communication, I said that I have never been in France (note that I started to learn French in my secondary school). And immediately, Liarry told me 'Oleg, let's visit Paris together! With our skates.'

Good idea. Very good one, n'est pas? Finally, I made a right decision, and decided to keep Liarry my company.

Before this visit, I got the message from French skaters, members of FARF (France Acrobatic Roller Forum). I was said that FARFeurs (members of the forum from Paris and Grenoble) had to gather in Paris on October 11. This was our arrival date!

In addition, we decided to participate in a weekly group skate, organized by Roller & Coquillages every Sunday in Paris. And also I was invited (by Vincent Vu Van Kha, see the interview with him: www.inline.spb.ru/report/vincent-eng.html) to a local skate park.

From different points of view, we were sure this trip would be very interesting and unforgetable!

Esplanade des Invalides. One of main places in Paris for freestyle slalom, high jump and inline hockey. Here was a meeting point of FARFeurs.

Local skaters playing inline hockey.

Style high jump.

New skate mode in France. Simply, fix your favourite toy to your skates, and start skating! It looks great!

High jump. In front of Tour Effel. We visited different places in Paris where many local skaters gather to cone slalom and jump. Plus, we skated many famous districts and streets of the city.

Skating a very narrow city street.

One of numerous hotels in Paris. There is so many flowers here!

At Nomades skate shop. This is a start point of weekly Sunday skate in Paris. Near Place of Bastille.

An exhibit in Erotics Museum. 7 floors... Many THAT exhibits from different countries.

In Louvre. This famous museum is the enormous one, and you need many days to visit all its rooms and exhibitions. Unfortunately, we had a lack of time this Sunday, and Liarry suggested to see Mona Lisa first.

Skating embankments of Seine. In some its parts, there is no traffic during weekends. There is a lot of runners, skaters, cyclists. Adults and children, whole families.

Members of famous Paris Roller Police Brigade. Blue police uniform, hockey skates, and helmets - nice people and perfect image. Policemen help to block streets and cross-roads, and are ready to provide all skaters with their assistance, if any. In addition, many volunteers (Stuff) are involved to control the skate.

Skating Paris streets. Many thousands of skaters! For the first time, I saw (and then skated) such number of skaters... Excellent kindness, cordiality... And what a possibility to see the city!

Route of our skate.

In RollerPark at Vitry. There are many facilities for aggressive skating, a rink for inline hockey, a short lap for fitness and speed skating. Plus fun sections (for accelerated up-and downhill skating). And of course, for high jump and freestyle (cone) skating. Both indoors and outdoors. The only disadvantage is a high entry price...

Paris in night... It is incredible! So many buildings, palaces and bridges are illuminated. Tour Eiffel looks like an enormous Christmas tree. Powerful floodlights crossing a sky... And many skaters in night Paris as well. That night, we skated some streets, including Champs Elysees. While night skating, this avenue (Champs) is not overcrowded, and you can downhill a sidewalk...

In the Disneyland. I was not there, but girls... They were so happy to visit this wonderful place, and spent the whole day there. Various side-shows and amusements... As to me, I visited Montmartre, la Defense, and navigated Seine on the boat. Helas, it was the non-skating day.

View to Paris from Tour Eiffel. This was our last night in Paris.

Before this trip I read many reports on Paris. And saw this city on video and TV. But you should definitely see it and visit Paris yourself. To feel the city and its citizen, and to feel yourself within Paris. I really hope I will visit this Dream City another time(s). Together with my skates.

Oleg Vigodsky