Parisians Make Historic Plunge as Seine River Opens for Public Swimming
Parisians Make Historic Plunge as Seine River Opens for Public Swimming
For the first time in over a century, the iconic River Seine has officially opened its banks for public swimming, marking a monumental achievement after a €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) cleanup project. This historic moment allows Parisians and tourists alike to take a refreshing dip in the once-polluted waterway, which was notably deemed suitable for Olympic competitions last year.
Three new designated swimming sites, strategically located near landmarks like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Eiffel Tower, along with a third in eastern Paris, welcomed their first swimmers on Saturday. This public access follows a ban on swimming in the Seine that had been in place since 1923, primarily due to pollution and navigation hazards.
The extensive cleanup efforts, significantly accelerated by the 2024 Paris Olympics where the Seine hosted events like the triathlon, involved major infrastructure upgrades. These included new disinfection units, a large storage basin to prevent wastewater overflow during rain, and mandatory connections to municipal sewer systems for houseboats and upstream homes.
City authorities have given the green light, with daily water quality tests consistently meeting European regulations since early June. Paris Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan confirmed a flag system, similar to French beaches, will indicate water safety, with ‘green’ signaling good quality. Despite some lingering skepticism from residents and independent water monitoring experts regarding variability, the overwhelming sentiment among early swimmers is one of joy and reclaiming the city’s beloved river.
The new swimming areas will be open free of charge at scheduled times until the end of August, with lifeguards on duty. This initiative represents a significant step in Paris’s urban revitalization, turning a long-held dream of swimming in the Seine into a tangible reality for the public.
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