Jumping into the Seine: Paris Unveils Three Supervised Swimming Spots this July
Summertime swimming spots in Paris expand to three in July - Bathing Sites Launch in July: Paris Opens Three Locations for River Swimming
In a major milestone for Parisian waterways, the River Seine will welcome swimmers with three designated, supervised swimming areas starting July 5th.
The eagerly anticipated bathing zones have been in the works thanks to Mayor Anne Hidalgo's persistent push for recreational swimming in the Seine. With a history dating back to the Belle Époque, Parisians once frequented floating baths along the Seine. But due to quality issues and safety concerns, bathing in the river was banned for over a century.
Now, Parisians and visitors alike can enjoy a splash in the Seine once more, provided the current is manageable and the water quality is safe. Significant investments were made to clean up the river in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games, which catalyzed the revival of bathing in the Seine.
Two thousand more households that were discharging wastewater directly into the Seine were connected to the sewer system last year, reducing the pollutants in the river. Moreover, an enormous overflow basin was built near the Austerlitz train station to prevent flooding the sewer system during heavy rain, holding almost 20 Olympic-sized pools’ worth of water.
This summer, locals and tourists can take a dip at three locations: Bras Marie, Bras de Grenelle, and Bercy. Each spot offers a unique experience—Bras Marie boasts a lively atmosphere along the Rives de Seine, Bras de Grenelle promises a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower, and Bercy appeals to families and sports enthusiasts. Since swimmer safety is paramount, these sites will have buoyed areas, access pontoons, changing rooms, showers, and storage facilities.
The implementation of these swimming areas is part of an ongoing "bathing plan" initiated in 2015, aimed at restoring swimming as a centuries-old tradition while ensuring modern ecological and safety standards are met. Despite the challenges, it's clear that Paris's love affair with the Seine is beginning anew.
Anne Hidalgo's "bathing plan," initiated in 2015 and aimed at reviving Paris's centuries-old tradition of swimming in the Seine, has led to the creation of three supervised swimming spots this July as part of Paris's lifestyle focusing on outdoor-living and home-and-garden. One can envision a Parisian summer, post-Olympics, with families enjoying the Seine at locations like Bras Marie, Bras de Grenelle, and Bercy, participating in a competition reminiscent of the floating baths of the Belle Époque, all while ensuring a clean and safe environment for both swimmers and the river.
