In a historic move, the River Seine has officially reopened to public swimming for the first time since 1923, marking a significant milestone in Paris’s urban and environmental transformation. The reintroduction of public swimming in the iconic river follows a century-long prohibition prompted by severe water pollution and health concerns, and is being celebrated as one of the enduring legacies of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
On Saturday morning at 8:00 am local time, the Seine welcomed its first group of eager swimmers in over 100 years. A few dozen people lined up early and wasted no time diving into the river once access was granted. This long-awaited opening follows years of planning and a major clean-up effort tied to the Olympic Games, during which open water swimming and triathlon events were held in the Seine. In preparation for the international competition, the city invested more than €1.4 billion (approximately $1.6 billion) in a comprehensive clean-up campaign aimed at restoring the river’s water quality to safe levels.
Three designated zones along the Seine have been made available for public swimming — one located near the Eiffel Tower, another close to the Notre Dame Cathedral, and a third in the city’s eastern districts. These swimming areas have been equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, and can accommodate up to 300 visitors at a time. Swimming will be free of charge until the end of August, with access limited to individuals aged 10 or 14 and above, depending on the specific location. Lifeguards are stationed at each site to ensure safety.
The vision of making the Seine swimmable again dates back to 1988, when then-mayor Jacques Chirac — who later became President of France — pledged to reverse the swimming ban. While efforts to clean the river began decades ago, the project saw considerable acceleration over the past 20 years, resulting in a significant drop in fecal bacteria and other pollutants entering the water.
However, the path to reopening the Seine was not without challenges. In the months leading up to the Olympics, several water quality tests showed the river was still falling short of required standards, largely due to heavy rainfall that washed contaminants into the water. These conditions led to concerns about the safety of Olympic athletes and temporarily disrupted training sessions for events like the triathlon and marathon swimming. Nevertheless, city officials remained confident in their efforts. In a symbolic show of trust, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, alongside Olympic committee members, took a dip in the Seine last July to demonstrate the river’s improved condition.
Now, with swimmers once again enjoying its waters, the Seine’s revival stands as a powerful testament to environmental rehabilitation and urban renewal — and a source of pride for Parisians reclaiming their river after a century.
