For the first time in a century, Parisians can once again swim in the River Seine, marking a monumental shift for the city and its landmark river.
River Seine Opens to Public Swimming After 100-Year Hiatus
River Seine Opens to Public Swimming After 100-Year Hiatus
Paris welcomes back swimming in the Seine River as preparations for the 2024 Olympics take shape.
The River Seine in Paris has officially reopened for swimming, a privilege last enjoyed in 1923. This momentous occasion is seen as part of the legacy leading up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, where athletes will compete in specially cleaned waters for events such as open water swimming and triathlons. The first wave of swimmers experienced the Seine’s revitalized waters Saturday morning at 08:00 local time, diving in eagerly as the ban was lifted.
The Parisian authorities have designated three specific swimming areas along the river, strategically located near iconic sites including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and an eastern part of the city. Each site is equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style amenities, accommodating up to 300 visitors to enjoy the space freely until the end of August. To ensure safety, lifeguards are present on-site to oversee the swimmers.
The movement to revive swimming in the Seine has been a long-awaited promise, initially proposed by former Mayor Jacques Chirac in 1988. Over the past two decades, substantial efforts have been made to improve water quality, significantly reducing fecal bacteria levels, which had made swimming unsafe for years.
Prior to the Olympic preparations, a notable investment exceeding €1.4 billion has gone into cleaning the Seine. However, concerns over water quality arose last summer when unexpected rainfall led to pollution spikes, causing doubts about the river's readiness for the Olympics. In response, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and other officials demonstrated the river's safety by taking a dip themselves.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming games, Parisians and visitors alike are embracing this long-awaited revival of the Seine as a swimming destination.
The Parisian authorities have designated three specific swimming areas along the river, strategically located near iconic sites including the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and an eastern part of the city. Each site is equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style amenities, accommodating up to 300 visitors to enjoy the space freely until the end of August. To ensure safety, lifeguards are present on-site to oversee the swimmers.
The movement to revive swimming in the Seine has been a long-awaited promise, initially proposed by former Mayor Jacques Chirac in 1988. Over the past two decades, substantial efforts have been made to improve water quality, significantly reducing fecal bacteria levels, which had made swimming unsafe for years.
Prior to the Olympic preparations, a notable investment exceeding €1.4 billion has gone into cleaning the Seine. However, concerns over water quality arose last summer when unexpected rainfall led to pollution spikes, causing doubts about the river's readiness for the Olympics. In response, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and other officials demonstrated the river's safety by taking a dip themselves.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming games, Parisians and visitors alike are embracing this long-awaited revival of the Seine as a swimming destination.
