How has Paris transformed the Seine River?

Paris has opened three free public bathing spots in the Seine River for the first time in over a century, allowing enthusiastic swimmers to prolong their summer into September.

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Paris Transforms Seine into Swimmable Oasis Amid Climate Crisis

Q: What is the purpose of Paris' Seine River cleanup?

The river cleanup is a crucial part of Paris' adaptation to the climate crisis, as the city has experienced extreme heatwaves in recent summers. By creating a network of "cool islands" like these bathing spots, Paris is helping its residents cope with rising temperatures.

10 Sep

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Summary

Paris opens 3 free public bathing spots in the Seine for the first time in over a century
City invests €1.4bn to improve water quality, with 30+ fish species now in the river
Paris plans to continue Seine bathing sites next summer and inspire other cities

Paris Transforms Seine into Swimmable Oasis Amid Climate Crisis

As of September 2025, Paris has undergone a remarkable environmental transformation, opening three free public bathing spots in the Seine River for the first time in over a century. This is the visible result of a multiyear, €1.4 billion effort to improve the water quality of the Seine, which now boasts over 30 different species of fish, up from just three in the 1970s.

The river cleanup has been a crucial part of Paris' adaptation to the climate crisis, as the city has experienced extreme heatwaves in recent summers. By creating a network of "cool islands" like these bathing spots, Paris is helping its residents cope with rising temperatures. Watched over by lifeguards, locals and tourists have been flocking to the three swimming sites to plunge into the cool river waters, prolonging their summer well into September.

Looking ahead, Paris is already planning to continue the Seine bathing sites next summer, with the most central Bras Marie location set to have extended opening hours. Inspired by Paris' success, 20 other areas in the greater Paris region have applied to open their own bathing sites, while activists elsewhere in France are organizing mass swims to call for their own stretches of water to be made swimmable. Paris has shown that with the right political will and investment, cities can repair the damage industrialization and urbanization have inflicted on their waterways, setting an example for others to follow.

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