Seine reopens to Paris swimmers after century-long ban

Summary

People swim in the Seine River on its opening day, in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris on July 5, 2025. JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP The River Seine reopened to swimmers in Paris on Saturday, July 5, marking the first time since 1923 that bathers could take a dip in the iconic waterway following a years-long cleanup effort. A few dozen people of all ages arrived ahead of the 8 am opening of the Bras Marie swimming zone – one of three open in Paris this summer – donning swim caps and goggles as they prepared to dive in and celebrate the long-awaited return of bathing in the Seine. The seasonal opening of the Seine for swimming is seen as a key legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics, when open-water swimmers and triathletes competed in its waters which were specially cleaned for the event. Parisians and visitors looking to cool off this summer can take the plunge – weather permitting – under the watchful eye of lifeguards in fluorescent yellow T-shirts at the three bathing sites, including one a stone's throw from the Eiffel Tower. The swimming zones are equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, offering space for 150 to 300 people to relax, lay out their towels, and unwind from the city's hustle and bustle. People swim at the Bras Marie safe bathing site on the Seine river in Paris, France, Saturday, July 5, 2025, during the opening of the three Seine swimming pools, as part of the 'Paris Plages' event. THOMAS PADILLA / AP People swim at the Bras Marie safe bathing site on the Seine river in Paris, France, Saturday, July 5, 2025, during the opening of the three Seine swimming pools, as part of the 'Paris Plages' event. THOMAS PADILLA / AP Paris officials say they have taken several measures to ensure swimmers can safely enjoy the long-anticipated reopening, including daily water pollution testing and implementing a swim test for bathers. The water quality is "exceptional", said Marc Guillaume, the prefect for the Ile-de-France region that includes Paris....