Paris' Port de Plaisance organises its annual Boat Show (F?te de Nautisme). Ahead of the country-wide F?te, held at ports across France in early June, Paris' May show is a chance to check out the latest (model and) life-size vessels.

If you fancy testing your sea legs yourself there are organised sailing lessons for both seasoned enthusiasts and first-timers. The Port is a stone's throw from the Bastille in the trendy Canal St Martin area.