Swimming in the Seine: Paris Reopens Historic River

After a century-long ban, the River Seine in Paris has reopened for public swimming. This historic event is seen as a key legacy of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where open water swimmers and triathletes competed in its specially cleaned waters. The city has designated three areas for swimming along the river, each equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture.

The swimming sites, which can accommodate up to 300 people, are open for free at scheduled times until the end of August. Swimmers must be at least 10 or 14 years old, depending on the location. To ensure safety, lifeguards are present at all times.

The reopening of the Seine for swimming is the result of a significant cleanup effort. Over the past two decades, there has been a sharp reduction in faecal bacteria in the river. The city invested more than €1.4 billion in cleaning up the Seine in preparation for the Olympics. Despite some initial concerns about water quality, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo demonstrated her confidence in the river's safety by taking a swim herself last July.