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Paris Lets You Swim in the Seine Again!
4 Jul
Summary
- Three free, supervised swimming sites are open in Paris this summer.
- A historic river cleanup accelerated swimming's return to the Seine.
- Water quality and weather dictate daily site openings.
Paris is embracing a new summer tradition with the opening of three supervised bathing sites along the Seine River. These free swimming areas, situated near City Hall, the Eiffel Tower, and in eastern Paris, are available throughout the summer, contingent on water quality and favorable weather. Strict lifeguard supervision and daily water testing ensure safety for visitors.
This revival of public swimming in the Seine marks a significant achievement following extensive, multibillion-euro cleanup initiatives. These projects, which included substantial sewer upgrades and new rainwater infrastructure, aimed to drastically reduce pollution. Swimming in the Seine, once banned for nearly a century due to poor water quality, is now a reality, though past summers saw cancellations due to heavy rainfall impacting upstream water purity.
Officials are prepared for increased crowds, especially during hot weather, with measures like real-time capacity monitoring and waiting systems to manage visitor flow at popular sites. The Grenelle site near the Eiffel Tower, for instance, has a maximum capacity of 200 swimmers, ensuring everyone gets a chance to experience this unique urban aquatic activity.
