Parisians Enjoy Summer Breeze with Swimmable Seine for 1st Time in 100 years

In a historic move that marks a new era for the French capital, Parisians and tourists are once again able to swim in the River Seine — legally — for the first time since 1923. 

Following a €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) environmental overhaul, the once-polluted waterway has officially reopened to the public with the launch of three designated swimming sites along the city’s iconic riverbanks.

The sites, unveiled on Saturday as part of the annual ‘Paris Plages’ summer event, are located near the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and in the eastern Paris neighborhood of Bercy. 

Access is free and regulated by age limits and lifeguard supervision.

This major development comes after decades of pollution rendered the Seine unfit for bathing. 

Swimming was banned in 1923 due to dangerous bacteria levels and navigational risks, with only rare exceptions. 

Now, thanks to a sweeping cleanup initiative launched in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the river has been transformed into a safe and scenic spot for open-water enjoyment.

“It’s a symbolic moment — we’re taking back our river,” said Lucile Woodward, a sports coach and wellness influencer who swam in the Seine alongside Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo before last year’s Olympic Games. Woodward is among the participants in the first amateur open-water competition in the Seine, set for Sunday. 

“Once people see hundreds of others swimming and enjoying themselves, they’ll want to join in too.”

The cleanup included a vast infrastructure investment: new disinfection units, a giant stormwater storage basin to prevent untreated waste from spilling into the river during rain, and mandatory sewer hookups for houseboats and riverside homes. 

The payoff? Olympic athletes were able to compete in triathlon and marathon swimming events in the Seine last summer — a powerful symbol of environmental recovery.

Paris Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan assured the public that water quality is monitored daily and flags posted at each site will indicate conditions — green for good, red for unsafe due to bacteria or strong currents. 

“We’re in a natural environment, so weather variations do affect the quality,” he noted, adding that results have generally met European standards since June, with only minor interruptions caused by rainfall or boat traffic.

Still, not everyone is convinced. Dan Angelescu, CEO of Fluidion, a company that independently tests water quality, remains skeptical. He argues that current testing methods may underreport harmful bacteria and that only a few days each summer truly meet high swimming standards. “The science today does not fully support the optimistic assessments being used,” Angelescu warned.

Public sentiment is mixed. While many are excited about the novelty of swimming in the Seine, some locals remain wary. 

“I wouldn’t say I’m scared,” said real estate agent Enys Mahdjoub. “Just a little disgusted — it’s the thought of the water being dirty.”

Nonetheless, the return of swimming to the Seine has sparked joy among many Parisians. “It’s a dream come true,” said Clea Montanari, a local project manager. “Maybe one day we’ll even be able to drink from the river. For now, just being able to swim in it is incredible.”

Swimming in the Seine may still come with caveats — limited hours, age restrictions, and potential closures after heavy rain — but after more than a century, Paris has reopened one of its greatest natural assets. And in doing so, the city is making waves not just in recreation, but in sustainable urban renewal.