Riverside Dipping Allowed in Seine After Century-Long Ban in Paris
In a historic move, the Seine River in Paris officially reopened for swimming on Saturday, July 5, 2025, marking the first time since 1923 that the public could enjoy a swim in the famous waterway. This significant event is closely linked to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, with authorities making a concerted effort to clean up the river to allow Olympic athletes to compete in its waters during the games.
The initiative to make the Seine swimmable was a high-profile environmental and urban sustainability project led by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, aiming to transform the city into a greener, more sustainable metropolis by improving water quality and public access to nature. The success of cleaning the Seine for the Olympics helped demonstrate Paris’s commitment to sustainability and legacy projects tied to the games.
There will be three swimming zones in Paris, with one located opposite the National Library of France in Bercy, another in the Grenelle arm offering a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower, and a third facing the Saint-Louis island. The swimming zone in Bercy can accommodate up to 300 swimmers and 700 people on the platform.
The water quality in the river is exceptional, according to Marc Guillaume, prefect of the Île-de-France region. The level of E. coli is ten times below the threshold value, and the level of enterococci is more than 25 times below the threshold value. Paris authorities will monitor the water quality daily to ensure it remains safe for swimming.
Special cleaning operations were carried out for the purpose of opening the Seine for swimming, with investments totaling a substantial 1.4 billion euros. If the water quality deteriorates, the swimming zones will be closed.
The opening of the Seine for swimming is seen as a key legacy of the 2024 Olympic Games, with the seasonal swimming areas open for free access until August 31. The public is reminded to swim responsibly and to have their swimming skills assessed before entering the water.
The reopening of the Seine for swimming marks a significant step forward in Paris's commitment to a greener, more sustainable future and serves as a testament to the city's successful hosting of the 2024 Olympic Games.
Embracing the transformative efforts led by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, outdoor-living enthusiasts can now anticipate a revitalized home-and-garden lifestyle along the Seine River, complete with swimming zones offering a unique fusion of nature and urban scenery. The pristine water quality in these zones, monitored daily for safety, provides an ideal setting for practicing sustainable lifestyle choices in the heart of the city.
