On July 5, in Paris, the Seine River was open for swimming again for the first time since 1923 – a ban that had been in place for more than a century was officially lifted. About this informs BBC.
This seasonal opening is considered a symbolic legacy of the 2024 Olympics, because it was in the Seine that the open water swimming and triathlon competitions took place. Especially for this event, the water of the river was cleaned.
At 8:00 a.m. local time on Saturday, July 5, several dozen people gathered by the river to be the first to take a dip after the opening. There are three areas for swimming: near the Eiffel Tower, near Notre Dame and in the east of the city. These areas have changing rooms, showers and beach furniture that can accommodate up to 300 people. Swimming in all three places will be free until the end of August. Safety in the water will be ensured by lifeguards who will monitor the swimsuits.
The ban on swimming was introduced due to the high level of pollution of the Seine, which could cause serious diseases. The idea of its cancellation was voiced back in 1988 by the then mayor of Paris — Jacques Chirac, who later became the president of France. Over the past two decades, thanks to significant improvements in treatment systems, the number of harmful bacteria in water has decreased significantly.
More than €1.4 billion had been invested in the river in the run-up to the Olympics, but some doubts remained about the Seine’s readiness — particularly after pollution levels exceeded after heavy rains that limited athletes’ ability to train. To demonstrate the safety of water, in July of last year, the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, together with representatives of the Olympic Committee, personally plunged into the Seine.
