After a 100-year ban, Parisians dive back into Seine

The River Seine, Paris's most iconic waterway, is no longer just for postcards and boat tours. For the first time since 1923, Parisians and visitors can swim legally in its waters, a remarkable revival that many see as the clearest legacy of the 2024 Olympic Games.

The line stretches from the gate all the way around the corner, at least 80 meters of locals and tourists chatting, laughing, and snapping photos. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be today," says Mathieu Roy, a 29-year-old graphic designer, still dripping from his morning swim. "Swimming near the heart of Paris, with the Eiffel Tower behind you — how can you top that?"

The Seine's reopening is a significant moment for the city, symbolizing both environmental progress and the public's longing to reconnect with this historic river. The river now hosts three official swimming zones: one near the Eiffel Tower, one close to Notre Dame Cathedral, and another in eastern Paris, at Bras Marie.

All three sites opened to the public on July 6, but Parisian weather had its own plans. After a few days of record crowds and plenty of first plunges, heavy rain hit the city. The downpour caused temporary sewage overflow, which briefly degraded the water quality. Officials then suspended swimming for a day to ensure public safety.