After more than 100 years, Paris has reopened the Seine River to public swimming, in a move tied to the legacy of the 2024 Olympics. Starting July 5, three designated sites - near Île Saint‑Louis, Grenelle (Eiffel Tower), and Bercy - will welcome over 1,000 swimmers daily until August 31.

This historic change follows an extensive €1.4 billion cleanup that revamped wastewater treatment, added storm basins, and required hookups for houseboats - efforts driven by Olympic demands and public health concerns. Daily water testing ensures safety, with green/red flag alerts like on beaches; lifeguards also perform swim tests, and entry limits prevent overcrowding .

Mayor Anne Hidalgo celebrated the return, calling it a “symbolic moment” and part of broader climate adaptation plans - offering cooling respite amid soaring summer temperatures . While independent experts note occasional bacterial spikes after rain, officials stress that regulations are being met and swimmers are properly supervised.

This revival revives a long-banned tradition, transforms urban waterways into recreational spaces, and reflects Paris’s ambition to fuse environmental progress with everyday life.