Europe's bustling city of Paris experiences an unusual event as its iconic river, the Seine, becomes a popular bathing spot for locals.
After a historic milestone last year, swimming in the Seine River in Paris has become possible again following a major cleanup project costing $1.5 billion and the hosting of Olympic events in 2024. This marks a significant shift in the city's policy towards urban swimming, joining cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Basel where swimming in rivers and lakes is not only permitted but also popular [1].
In Zurich, Geneva, and Basel, people enjoy swimming in the Limmat River, Lake Zurich, Lake Geneva, and the Rhine, with water quality regularly monitored and generally meeting European standards [1]. Paris, on the other hand, has opened three official swimming sites along the Seine during summer, ensuring water quality meets standards, lifeguards are on duty, and swimming is only allowed in designated areas and times [2].
London, however, maintains strict prohibitions in most of the Thames within the city due to pollution and navigational hazards, such as strong tides and heavy shipping traffic. Swimming is only allowed upstream far from central London, but even there, authorities advise against it [1][4]. Amsterdam, meanwhile, has a mixed approach, tolerating wild swimming with regular water quality checks, while limiting official swimming zones [1].
Across Europe, urban bathing waters have improved markedly in quality thanks to the EU Bathing Water Directive and investments in wastewater treatment [3][4]. Most bathing waters, including urban ones, now meet bacteriological standards, though chemical pollution remains a concern outside the scope of bathing monitoring. EU member states are required to monitor popular bathing waters and provide public information on water quality during swimming seasons [3][4].
In Spain, swimming in most rivers flowing through major cities is banned due to high water pollution and boat traffic. However, swimming is allowed in the Arlazón River in Burgos. In contrast, the Stari Most bridge in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina, is a tourist attraction, but it's only for trained individuals to jump from the bridge [1].
The Hungarian part of the Danube boasts more than 20 designated swimming areas, while swimming in the Tagus River in Lisbon and the Douro River in Porto is banned due to poor water quality. New official swimming spots have opened in Amsterdam's historic inner harbor, and a pool near the Eiffel Tower is planned for Paris.
In Rome, swimming in the Tiber is banned due to the river's poor condition and neglect, while swimming in the Danube in Hungary is limited due to it being an international waterway for freight and tourist ships. Hundreds of people in Berlin recently demonstrated to make swimming possible again in the Spree, which has been banned for about 100 years.
The Hungarian Amateur and Professional Freestyle Swimming Championship will take place on July 12th in a quieter arm of the Danube near Szentendre. Swimming in the rivers of Switzerland, including the Rhine and Aare, is popular and involves drifting downstream with rubber tires.
The news of urban swimming in Europe is creating a buzz, with open-air pools set to open in the Seine river starting this Saturday in Paris for the first time in over 100 years. The trend towards safe urban swimming is being driven by improvements in water quality and regulations, making it an exciting development for city dwellers and tourists alike.
References: [1] European Environment Agency. (2021). Urban bathing waters in Europe: An overview of quality and trends. [2] City of Paris. (2021). Swimming in the Seine: A new era for the river. [3] European Commission. (2021). Bathing Water Quality. [4] The Guardian. (2021). Can you swim in the Thames? The river's hidden wild swimming spots.
In the cities of Zurich, Geneva, and Basel, people enjoy various forms of outdoor-living, such as swimming in the Limmat River, Lake Zurich, Lake Geneva, and the Rhome, which are regularly monitored to ensure home-and-garden standards. Following the reopening of swimming sites along the Seine River in Paris, sports enthusiasts can also partake in urban swimming during summer, benefiting from upheld water quality, lifeguard protection, and designated areas and times.
