Swimmers Dive into the Seine: A New Era of Urban Recreation in Paris
Every participant donned a bright yellow lifebuoy securely fastened around their waist, reflecting the comprehensive safety protocols established by a team of lifeguards wearing high-visibility vests. The current in the river was mild, offering a gentle pull—an ongoing reminder that this waterway is an active, urban environment.
“It’s wonderful to swim in the city center, especially with the recent heat waves,” remarked Amine Hocini, a 25-year-old construction worker from Paris. “I expected the water to be cooler, but it’s surprisingly warm.”
This initiative marks the resumption of swimming in the Seine after a significant 1.4 billion euro ($1.5 billion) environmental restoration project tied to last year’s Olympics. Authorities now assert that the Seine complies with European water quality standards on most days. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who previously took a swim in the river last year, was present on Saturday morning, holding a clear bottle filled with river water as a sign of reassurance. Environmental agencies confirmed that bacteria levels were well within safe limits.
The Seine had been off-limits for swimming since 1923, primarily due to pollution and navigational hazards, although a few exceptions were made. Swimming outside designated areas remains prohibited for safety reasons.
Onlookers, including tourists and early-morning joggers, paused to observe the scene, with some applauding as swimmers emerged from the water, grinning while dripping wet. Others expressed skepticism, like François Fournier, who was observing from a nearby bridge.
“Honestly, I won’t take the chance,” said Fournier, a local resident. “I’ve seen things in the Seine you wouldn’t believe, so I’ll wait until it’s truly pristine.”
While a few bits of litter floated on the surface—a leaf here, a plastic wrapper there—the river’s odor was barely perceptible, lacking any overwhelming sewage smell and instead emitting a subtle earthy scent.
“This feels so stylish, swimming in the Seine near Île Saint-Louis,” noted Lucile Woodward, a 43-year-old local. “There are certainly some concerns whenever you’re swimming, but I believe this area has been tested more rigorously than almost anywhere in the world. I don’t think the city would risk any issues.”
She added with a chuckle, “My skin is just fine.”
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