Unprecedented occurrence: Paris' Seine River welcomes bathers for the first time in over a century - In over a century, Paris' Seine River sees a resurgence of public bathing
After a century-long hiatus, Parisians and tourists can once again take a dip in the Seine, as the city reopened three public bathing areas on July 5, 2025. This long-awaited development is part of the Paris Plages initiative, a legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The reopening of the Seine for swimming follows years of improvement efforts to ensure safe and landscaped areas for bathers. Three free swimming sites have been established: one near Notre Dame, another by the iconic Eiffel Tower, and a third in eastern Paris, Bercy in the 12th arrondissement, with another potential location in Le Bras Grenelle in the 15th arrondissement [1][3][4].
The initiative aligns with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo's environmental initiatives, aiming to enhance green spaces and recreational activities in the city [5]. The reintroduction of bathing areas provides Paris with another cooling spot for residents and tourists, offering respite from the city's heatwaves.
The decision to reopen the Seine for swimming came after a significant cleanup effort that began in preparation for the 2024 Olympics. The cost of the cleanup was approximately 1.4 billion euros and included connecting many households upstream to the sewage system [6]. The ban on bathing in the Seine, which was due to increasing maritime traffic, was lifted in recent years [7].
To ensure the water quality remains safe for bathers, continuous monitoring is in place. Bathing will be suspended if the water quality deteriorates [8]. The public bathing areas are supervised, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
This development is not only a significant step for Parisians and tourists but also for the Paris 2024 Olympics, as some competitions may take place on the Seine [2]. As the city continues to improve its green spaces and recreational facilities, the reopening of the Seine for swimming marks a significant milestone in Paris's ongoing transformation.
References: [1] Le Figaro, 2023. "Les Parisiens pourront baigner dans la Seine à partir de 2025." [2] France 24, 2022. "Some Olympics events to take place on the Seine." [3] Paris Info, 2025. "Paris Plages: Les nouvelles plages de Paris." [4] L'Express, 2025. "Les nouvelles plages de Paris : où les Parisiens peuvent baigner." [5] Paris Climat, 2021. "Paris set to become the greenest city in Europe." [6] Le Monde, 2020. "Le coût de la réhabilitation de la Seine pour les Jeux olympiques de Paris s'élève à 1,4 milliard d'euros." [7] RFI, 2021. "Bathing in the Seine to be allowed again in Paris." [8] AFP, 2025. "Water quality monitored as Paris reopens Seine for swimming."
The reopening of the Seine for swimming, a welcome addition to the Paris Plages initiative, aligns with Parisians' desire for outdoor-living and lifestyle improvements, offering an option of home-and-garden-like surroundings right in the city. The public bathing areas, including those near the iconic Eiffel Tower, provide a unique opportunity for both residents and tourists to experience Paris in a new and refreshing way for the first time in more than a hundred years.
