River Seine reopens to swimmers in Paris after century-long ban

After a Century, Paris Reopens the River Seine to Swimmers

A Historic Ban Lifted After 100 Years

In a moment of triumph for both environmental progress and civic ambition, the River Seine in Paris has reopened for public swimming for the first time since 1923. The reopening, which took place on a sunny Saturday morning, marks the end of a century-long ban on swimming due to pollution. The decision is not only a milestone in public access to natural waterways but also stands as a symbolic legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which accelerated efforts to clean and rehabilitate the once-toxic river.

Early Morning Swimmers Dive In

At 8:00 AM local time, dozens of enthusiastic swimmers gathered at the riverbanks, ready to make history by diving into the Seine legally for the first time in a hundred years. Among them were local residents, tourists, and environmental advocates who had long awaited this day. The newly designated public swimming areas — near the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and in eastern Paris — were outfitted with modern amenities such as changing rooms, showers, and lounge-style furniture, accommodating up to 300 visitors at a time. Each zone includes safety measures, including lifeguards on duty and scheduled swimming hours.

Olympic Legacy: Clean Water for All

The reopening is directly tied to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, during which open-water swimming and triathlon events were held in the Seine. In preparation for the games, French authorities invested more than €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) in cleaning up the river. This massive public investment targeted improvements in sewage management, reduction of industrial runoff, and increased water quality monitoring. The success of these efforts turned the Seine from a cautionary tale of urban pollution into a model for other global cities seeking to reclaim their waterways for public use.

Overcoming Skepticism and Setbacks

Despite the ambitious cleanup campaign, doubts loomed in the months leading up to the Olympics. In 2023, water quality tests showed high levels of faecal bacteria, raising alarm over whether the river would meet international health standards in time for competition. Organizers blamed heavy rainfall for the temporary dip in water quality, which affected training sessions for athletes preparing for the triathlon, paratriathlon, and marathon swimming events. To reassure the public and prove the river was safe, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and members of the Olympic committee staged a high-profile swim in the Seine last July.

A Longstanding Dream Realized

The dream of reopening the Seine to swimmers dates back to 1988, when then-mayor and future French President Jacques Chirac first pledged to reverse the ban. However, decades of pollution from household waste, industrial discharge, and insufficient water treatment delayed progress. Over the past two decades, persistent environmental policies have brought about dramatic improvements. Today, Parisians can finally enjoy their iconic river not just as a backdrop for boat tours and scenic walks, but as a living, swimmable space — fulfilling a promise 36 years in the making.

Free Access, Strict Rules, and Safety First

Swimming in the Seine is free of charge, but age restrictions are in place depending on the zone — with the minimum age set at 10 or 14 years. To ensure safety, all swimming times are supervised, and lifeguards are stationed throughout the areas. Each site is only open during scheduled hours, and swimmers must follow local guidelines to prevent pollution and preserve the newly safe waters. While authorities remain vigilant about water quality, they are optimistic that the reopening will inspire a broader cultural shift toward urban environmental stewardship.

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