Tourists embrace new favourite pastime as heatwave scorches Paris
The new swimming spot offering unparalleled Eiffel Tower views
- Public swimming has returned to the River Seine in Paris for the first time in over a century, with three sites opening in July.
- This historic reintroduction is the result of a monumental €1.4 billion clean-up operation, which also prepared the river for Olympic competitions in 2024.
- Thousands of people have already taken a dip, with sites attracting between 800 and 1,200 visitors daily. They are expected to draw more crowds amid a heatwave that is gripping Europe.
- Water quality is rigorously tested daily to ensure compliance with European regulations, though sites have faced closures due to rain increasing pollution upstream.
- Swimmers must be aged 10 or 14 and over, depending on the location, and are required to wear a yellow buoy for safety, with lifeguards monitoring the sites.