After a century-long ban, the River Seine in Paris has reopened for swimming, a significant milestone as the city gears up for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
River Seine Welcomes Back Swimmers After 100-Year Hiatus
River Seine Welcomes Back Swimmers After 100-Year Hiatus
The iconic River Seine reopens for public swimming as part of preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The River Seine has officially reopened for swimming for the first time since 1923, marking a notable achievement as the city prepares for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. Public swimming in the Seine, which had been prohibited for a century due to high pollution levels, is now possible thanks to extensive cleanup efforts over the past two decades.
On Saturday morning, dozens of eager swimmers gathered ahead of the official opening at 08:00 local time, ready to take the plunge. There are now three designated swimming areas in the Seine: one near the Eiffel Tower, another close to Notre Dame Cathedral, and a third in eastern Paris. Each site is equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, accommodating up to 300 people.
These swimming zones will be open for free until the end of August, with specific hours for participants aged 10 or 14 and older. Trained lifeguards will be on duty to ensure the safety of all swimmers.
The initiative to lift the swimming ban dates back to 1988, when then-mayor Jacques Chirac first advocated for its reversal. Over the years, efforts to improve the river's water quality have dramatically reduced pollution levels. In preparation for the Olympics, more than €1.4 billion has been invested in cleaning the Seine.
However, last summer, concerns arose regarding the river's water quality when it failed multiple tests, leading organizers to fear that the swimming events might be compromised. Despite the challenges, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and members of the Olympic committee splashed into the Seine to dispel worries about swimming safety.
With this reopening, Parisian swimmers can finally enjoy the waters of the Seine once more, an act that symbolizes the city’s commitment to providing a vibrant and clean aquatic environment.
On Saturday morning, dozens of eager swimmers gathered ahead of the official opening at 08:00 local time, ready to take the plunge. There are now three designated swimming areas in the Seine: one near the Eiffel Tower, another close to Notre Dame Cathedral, and a third in eastern Paris. Each site is equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, accommodating up to 300 people.
These swimming zones will be open for free until the end of August, with specific hours for participants aged 10 or 14 and older. Trained lifeguards will be on duty to ensure the safety of all swimmers.
The initiative to lift the swimming ban dates back to 1988, when then-mayor Jacques Chirac first advocated for its reversal. Over the years, efforts to improve the river's water quality have dramatically reduced pollution levels. In preparation for the Olympics, more than €1.4 billion has been invested in cleaning the Seine.
However, last summer, concerns arose regarding the river's water quality when it failed multiple tests, leading organizers to fear that the swimming events might be compromised. Despite the challenges, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and members of the Olympic committee splashed into the Seine to dispel worries about swimming safety.
With this reopening, Parisian swimmers can finally enjoy the waters of the Seine once more, an act that symbolizes the city’s commitment to providing a vibrant and clean aquatic environment.
