Paris Makes a Splash: River Seine Opens for Swimming After 100 Years
Yes, you read that right. Paris has finally opened the River Seine for public swimming — for the first time since 1923. And it’s not just a dip. It’s a bold comeback of one of the world’s most famous rivers.
The Big Moment
On Saturday, Parisians and tourists lined up along the banks, ready to jump in. After a massive clean-up operation, the river is now safe and open to all. The move comes just months after the Paris Olympics, where the Seine was used for events.
The excitement was real. “It’s really nice, I’m surprised,” said Victoria Cnop, a 24-year-old from Brazil living in Paris. “I never imagined being this close to the Eiffel Tower and in the water!”
Public swimming back at Paris’ River Seine for 1st time in CENTURY
After $1.5BN cleanup effort for 2024 Olympics that STILL failed safety tests, left athletes bedridden
Would you brave a dip like these swimmers? pic.twitter.com/SoAqoMtDLV
— RT (@RT_com) July 5, 2025
How Did Paris Clean the Seine?
The city didn’t just throw open the river. It took years of work and investment.
- Thousands of homes were connected to proper sewer systems.
- Old water treatment plants were upgraded.
- Huge rainwater tanks were built to stop dirty water from mixing with the river during heavy rains.
Not Just for Show
Even though some Olympic training sessions were delayed due to rain, the actual events in the Seine went well. That helped build trust that the river is now safe.
To keep things clean, the water is tested every day. A simple green or red flag shows if the water is okay to swim in. Green? Jump in. Red? Maybe tomorrow.
Where to Swim?
So far, there are three official spots open within Paris. These can welcome over 1,000 people every day until August 31.
But that’s not all.
Fourteen more swim areas will be open outside the city on the Seine and Marne rivers. Two on the Marne are already open.
What People Are Saying
“It’s wonderful,” said John Drummond, a tourist from Canada. “Good for the environment, the city, and the people.”
Karine, a 51-year-old Parisian, added, “The water is clean and warm. Come here, everybody—it’s great!”
This is more than a swim. This is about bringing life back to a river that was once too dirty to touch. Paris has turned a dream into a reality. Other cities should take notes.
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