Paris has reopened three public swimming areas in the Seine, giving residents and tourists another chance to enjoy one of the city’s newest summer attractions. The supervised swimming sites opened on Saturday and will remain available throughout the summer, provided water quality and weather conditions remain safe.
The three free bathing areas are located near City Hall, close to the Eiffel Tower, and in eastern Paris. Each site is monitored by trained lifeguards, while officials carry out daily water quality tests to make sure swimming remains safe for visitors.
The reopening marks the second year in a row that the French capital has offered public swimming in the Seine after decades of restrictions. City officials say the program is part of a wider effort to make the river a safe and welcoming place for both residents and visitors.
Many people welcomed the return of the swimming areas on opening day. Tourists and local residents said the experience of swimming in the historic river while surrounded by famous landmarks is unlike anywhere else in the world.
Stewart Talbot, a visitor from Melbourne, Australia, said swimming in the Seine while looking at the Eiffel Tower was a memorable experience. He said the river offered a unique way to enjoy Paris during the summer.
Local residents also expressed excitement about the return of public swimming. Nineteen-year-old Hermine Jegou said she enjoyed seeing people of all ages sharing the river. She said the atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, with children, adults, and older visitors all enjoying the water together.
Her sister, Joanne Jegou, said she plans to return later in the summer. She described the experience as a fun way to cool down while enjoying the sunny weather in the city.
The Seine became an international sporting venue during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where it hosted swimming and triathlon events. The Olympic preparations helped speed up a major environmental cleanup of the river that included large investments in modern sewer systems, rainwater storage facilities, and other projects designed to reduce pollution.
Despite the improvements, water quality still depends on weather conditions. Heavy rainfall can increase pollution levels by sending untreated water into the river, forcing officials to temporarily close swimming areas if safety standards are not met. Similar closures occurred on several days during last summer.
At the Grenelle swimming site near the Eiffel Tower, officials expect visitor numbers to increase as temperatures rise during the coming weeks. Staff members have prepared crowd management plans to keep the sites safe and comfortable for everyone.
Clémence Donazzan, deputy manager of the Grenelle site, said the area can safely welcome up to 200 people at one time. If the site reaches full capacity, visitors will be asked to wait until space becomes available. Officials will monitor the number of swimmers throughout the day to ensure everyone has an opportunity to enjoy the river safely.
Swimming in the Seine had been banned for around 100 years before the city introduced the new public bathing program. Poor water quality had made the river unsuitable for swimming for much of the last century. The successful cleanup has now allowed Paris to bring back a tradition that many residents had never experienced.
The reopening of the swimming sites reflects the city’s long-term investment in improving public spaces and environmental conditions. As visitors continue to arrive during the busy summer season, the Seine is once again becoming a place where people can safely swim, relax, and enjoy one of Paris’s most famous landmarks from a completely different view.
