For the first time in over a century, the River Seine in Paris has reopened for public swimming, marking a historic moment in the city's efforts to rejuvenate its iconic waterway.

On Saturday morning at 8:00 local time, eager swimmers gathered at the Bras Marie site and dove into the Seine as it officially reopened. The move comes just after the Paris 2024 Olympics, where open water events were held in specially treated sections of the river—a significant milestone in the river’s environmental transformation.

Three dedicated swimming zones have been designated along the Seine: one near the Eiffel Tower, another close to Notre Dame Cathedral, and a third in eastern Paris. These areas are equipped with changing facilities, showers, and beach-style lounge furniture, accommodating up to 300 visitors at a time.

Swimming at these sites is free and open until the end of August. Access is granted during set hours, with minimum age requirements of either 10 or 14 years, depending on the location. Lifeguards are on duty at all sites to ensure safety.

The effort to reopen the Seine for swimming dates back to 1988, when then-mayor Jacques Chirac—who would later become president—pledged to make the river swimmable again. Over the past two decades, significant environmental improvements have drastically reduced pollution, particularly harmful bacteria levels.

Ahead of the Olympics, Paris invested over €1.4 billion in a major clean-up operation to make the river safe for both athletes and the public. Although water quality setbacks occurred due to rainfall in the lead-up to the Games, city officials—including Mayor Anne Hidalgo—publicly swam in the Seine last July to demonstrate its readiness.

After a 100-year hiatus due to pollution concerns, Parisians and visitors alike can now enjoy a revitalized slice of urban nature right in the heart of the capital. Photo by Paolo Neo, Wikimedia commons.