Parisians and tourists flocked to the River Seine this weekend as the city officially reopened the waterway for public swimming for the first time since 1923. The decision comes after a massive cleanup driven by preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the river served as a venue for events like triathlon and open water swimming.
Three designated swimming areas along the Seine in central Paris will now welcome over 1,000 swimmers daily through August 31. Excited locals and visitors praised the experience, calling the water clean and warm, with only a natural presence of algae. Many expressed surprise and joy at swimming so close to the Eiffel Tower.
The project involved major environmental investments, including connecting thousands of homes to the sewer network and upgrading water treatment plants. Authorities also built massive rainwater storage systems to prevent sewage overflow during storms, a key issue that had delayed some Olympic events last summer.
To ensure safety, water quality will be monitored daily throughout the summer. Flags will indicate whether swimming areas are safe or closed — a system similar to beach alerts. Swimmers like 54-year-old John Drummond from Canada praised the move as a “great initiative for the environment and the city.”
Beyond the capital, 14 additional swimming sites are being opened along the Seine and Marne rivers in the greater Paris area. Two of those on the Marne River were already launched in June and are proving popular with residents seeking relief from the summer heat.
This historic reopening not only offers a new leisure option but also marks a major milestone in the city’s environmental and urban revival. Parisians can now enjoy a cleaner river once considered too polluted for public use, bringing fresh energy to the heart of the French capital.