Swimming in the Seine in Paris Has Been Allowed for the First Time in 100 Years (5 photos) + 3 videos)
Category: Beautiful cities, PEGI 0+
10 July 2025
The Seine River in Paris has officially opened for swimming. The ban had been in place since 1923 due to pollution and shipping, and violators faced fines. Now local authorities say the water meets standards. However, some locals disagree. 
Starting this summer, locals and tourists can swim in specially equipped areas with changing rooms, showers and sun loungers, and lifeguards monitor the safety of vacationers.
One zone is located near Notre Dame Cathedral, the second is near the Eiffel Tower, and the third is in the eastern part of the city. 1.4 billion euros were spent on cleaning the river
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo met with swimmers on the shore and demonstratively poured water from the Seine into a bottle. City authorities are confident that the water quality meets European standards.
However, some Parisians remain skeptical due to the river's turbidity and floating debris
During the Paris Olympics, the Seine River was at the center of controversy — it was where the triathlon swims were held. After heavy rains on the opening day of the Games, the water quality deteriorated, which is why the events had to be postponed twice.
After the swims, Canadian Tyler Mislawchuk felt unwell, Belgian Claire Michel was hospitalized with E. coli, and Swiss Briffaud and Westermann withdrew from the races due to infection.
However, Olympic organizers said they found no connection between these cases, and the mayor of Paris called reports of athletes' illnesses a provocation and false information.
