Paris Opens Seine Swimming Sites with More Planned

Beginning July 5, 2024, Paris will open three supervised swimming areas in the Seine—Quai de Bercy, the Grenelle arm, and bras Marie near Île Saint-Louis—allowing public swimming for the first time in over a century. These sites, developed as part of the city's Olympic legacy, feature facilities such as changing rooms, showers, and lifeguard supervision, with capacities ranging from 150 to 700 people depending on the location. Water quality will be monitored daily, and a flag system will indicate safety for swimmers. Access to the swimming areas will be free of charge. The project aims to revive a tradition banned in 1923 due to pollution, improve urban life, and address climate change. Paris also plans to introduce additional sites and special facilities for families in neighboring areas, further expanding public access to the Seine.