Historic Opportunity: Swimming in the Seine Returns to Paris After a Century

Starting this Saturday, the Seine River in Paris has opened its waters to swimmers for the first time since 1923. The Paris City Council has established three designated swimming areas along the river, each equipped with facilities and supervised by lifeguards. Enthusiastic visitors were already taking the plunge as early as 8 AM, when the swimming areas opened. This significant milestone follows an extensive investment of over 14 billion euros led by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo. The river was utilized during last year’s Olympic Games for swimming competitions, but this is the inaugural occasion for the general public to swim in the Seine as well. The three swimming zones introduced by the municipality—Bercy, Bras Marie, and Grenelle—are ideally located in the city center. To ensure safety and enjoyment, each area has set capacity limits, allowing between 150 to 300 swimmers at a time, and a total of 200 to 700 visitors in each site. Notably, these urban beaches close their doors at night. Once labeled biologically dead due to severe pollution and high levels of bacteria like Escherichia coli, the Seine has undergone a transformation over the decades. In the 1960s, swimming was forbidden due to dangerous health conditions. However, revitalizing the river to make it swimmable has been a key objective of Mayor Hidalgo since she first took office in 2014 and was re-elected in 2020. As reported by Politico, the restoration of the Seine is part of a broader initiative to rethink the urban landscape of Paris, representing one of the most significant transformations in decades. Under Hidalgo's leadership, the city has planted approximately 130,000 trees, converted numerous streets to pedestrian-only zones, and removed thousands of parking spots, contributing to a cleaner and more enjoyable environment. As of 2023, car traffic in the heart of the city has dropped by 54% compared to the previous year, resulting in fewer accidents and a notable increase in air quality. Since 2005, levels of fine particulate matter PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide have decreased by 55% and 50%, respectively. With the Seine now welcoming swimmers, Parisians and visitors alike can enjoy a refreshing dip in history, marking a new chapter for the iconic river—and for the city of Paris itself. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2