After a wait of nearly a century, the River Seine in Paris has officially reopened to swimmers. This historic change, celebrated on Saturday morning, June 3, 2023, allows residents and tourists alike to enjoy the scenic waters that flow through the heart of the French capital. For the first time since 1923, swimming is now permitted in designated areas, a step that many are hailing as a key legacy related to the forthcoming 2024 Olympic Games, where open water swimming competitions are set to take place.
Dozens of eager swimmers gathered at the designated swimming spots ahead of the 08:00 local opening, ready to take the plunge into the newly cleaned waters. There are three specific areas for public swimming: one situated near the iconic Eiffel Tower, another adjacent to the historic Notre Dame Cathedral, and a third located in eastern Paris. Each zone has been equipped with amenities such as changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture designed to accommodate around 300 people comfortably.
Access to these swimming zones will be offered free of charge until the end of August, under scheduled times, with minimum age requirements of either 10 or 14 years, based on the specific location. To ensure safety, trained lifeguards will be on site, monitoring the swimmers.
The push to lift the swimming ban in Seine has its roots back to 1988 when Jacques Chirac, the then-mayor of Paris and future president of France, first advocated for the reversal. Swimming was prohibited for a full century due to extremely high pollution levels, which posed health risks to the public. However, recent investments—over €1.4 billion, in fact—have significantly improved the river's water quality over the last two decades, dramatically reducing contamination levels.
Before the Olympics, concerns arose when the Seine failed routine water quality testing, raising questions about whether it would be ready for competing athletes. High rainfall was cited as a primary cause of increased pollution levels, impacting preparation for events such as triathlons and marathon swimming. In July of last year, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, along with members of the Olympic committee, showcased their confidence by taking a swim in the river to demonstrate its safety.
The reopening of the Seine is not just a return to swimming; it's a celebration of Paris's commitment to public health, environmental safety, and a vibrant Olympic spirit. As Parisians and visitors alike dive into the river, they are also diving into a refreshed chapter of the city's relationship with its historic waterway.
