The River Seine in Paris has officially reopened for public swimming for the first time in a century, marking a significant milestone as it lifts a ban that has been in place since 1923. This seasonal opening is part of the preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the Seine will serve as a venue for open water swimming and triathlon events, with water quality improvements made ahead of the games.
Designated swimming areas along the Seine
On Saturday morning at 08:00 local time, a small group of eager swimmers gathered to take the plunge as the designated swimming areas opened. There are now three specific locations along the Seine where the public can swim: one near the iconic Eiffel Tower, another close to the historic Notre Dame Cathedral, and a third site located in eastern Paris.
These zones are equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, accommodating up to 300 visitors who can relax and enjoy the sun by laying out their towels. Access to these swimming sites is free until the end of August, with scheduled times available for swimmers aged 10 or 14, depending on the specific location. Trained lifeguards will be on duty to ensure the safety of those enjoying the water.
A century-long journey to the Seine’s reopening
The move to lift the swimming ban was first proposed by Jacques Chirac, the former mayor of Paris and later president, in 1988. Over the past two decades, substantial efforts to improve the river’s water quality have resulted in a notable decrease in faecal bacteria and pollution levels, making it safe for recreational activities.
In preparation for last summer’s Olympics, the city invested over €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) into cleaning the Seine, although concerns arose regarding water quality when tests indicated it had not yet met the necessary standards. Heavy rainfall was cited as a contributing factor to the increased pollution, which hindered athletes’ training for events such as the triathlon and marathon swimming. To demonstrate confidence in the river’s safety, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and members of the Olympic committee took a swim in the Seine last July.
“Last summer BBC correspondent Hugh Schofield was among those who took a dip in the Seine.”