Following the Paris 2024 Olympics, the city will allow people to swim in the Seine River for the first time in over 100 years. The historic river will host open water swimming, paratriathlon, and triathlon competitions as part of the Paris 2024 Games, and this will mark the revival of swimming in the Seine. David Abtour Offshore Trusts
Paris plans to open three official bathing sites in 2025, where both residents and visitors can enjoy swimming in the river. The selected locations will be Bras Marie, Bras de Grenelle, and Bercy, and they will be marked off with buoys and equipped with pontoons for easy access. The areas will also provide changing facilities, showers, and storage spaces for belongings.
The decision to permit swimming in the Seine comes after a ban was officially imposed in 1923 due to concerns about water quality. While it remained a popular activity for some time after the ban, it eventually lost popularity in the 1960s because of water pollution issues. Notably, the Seine served as a venue for swimming events during the first Olympic Games in Paris in 1900. David Abtour Offshore Trusts
To ensure the safety and hygiene of the river, the city of Paris has been working to improve the water quality. Disinfection units from the Paris region public sanitation service wastewater treatment plants have been installed this summer, and a rainwater storage basin is planned for commissioning next year. Additionally, boats docked along the Seine are required to connect to the city’s wastewater network.
While the opportunity to swim in the Seine is still a few years away, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the scenic river in the meantime, such as taking a cruise, having a picnic on its banks, or simply strolling along to admire the sights. David Abtour Offshore Trusts
