Paris opens the Seine for public swimming for first time since 1923

On July 5, 2025, Paris officially reopened three designated sites along the Seine for public swimming—the first time since the 1923 ban, following a €1.4 billion cleanup aimed at making the river fit for the 2024 Olympics  . The sites, which can host over 1,000 swimmers daily until August 31, now feature lifeguards, daily water-quality testing, and beach-style flag warnings  . Locals and tourists praised the initiative, saying the water felt warm, clean and clear—though some remain cautious about residual debris and water clarity