Swimming In The Seine Paris – A New Chapter For Paris Summers

For the first time in over a century, swimming in the Seine Paris is no longer a wild idea — it's official. Thanks to an ambitious city-wide cleanup and a nudge from the 2024 Olympics, the Seine is open for swimming in summer 2025. This historic shift not only reclaims a lost Parisian tradition, it turns the river into the city's most refreshing summer destination.

During the Paris Plages in July and August, supervised swimming is now allowed at three brand-new river sites, in addition to the popular floating pools at Bassin de la Villette and Canal Saint-Martin. The best part? They're free, scenic, and surprisingly civilized. Welcome to swimming in Paris river style — sunscreen recommended, swimming cap optional.

1923: Swimming in the Seine Banned!

Swimming in the Seine in 1923, photo Roger-Viollet

In the early 20th century, the Seine was a popular spot for Parisians to cool off during the summer months. Swimming in the river was common, with people enjoying the water near iconic landmarks like the Pont-Neuf.

However, as Paris grew and industrialized, the river became increasingly polluted due to untreated sewage and industrial waste. In 1923, authorities officially banned swimming in the Seine, citing health concerns and the dangers posed by river traffic.

Despite the ban, many Parisians continued to swim in the river, especially during heatwaves. Photographs from the 1930s and 1940s show people bathing in the Seine, showing that the prohibition was not strictly enforced. It wasn't until the post-war era, with the rise of car traffic and further industrialization, that swimming in the Seine became a rare sight.

Efforts to clean up the river have been ongoing for decades. In 1988, then-Mayor Jacques Chirac famously pledged to swim in the Seine within five years, promising that the river would be clean enough for bathing. While significant investments were made to improve water quality, Chirac never fulfilled his promise, and the river remained off-limits for swimmers.

For decades, it stayed that way — until plans for Paris to host the Olympics revived interest in cleaning up the river and making it swimmable again.

The Olympic Legacy and a Parisian Comeback

2024: Swimming in the Seine during the Olympics, photo Reuters

Parisian Olympic organizers made a bold promise: the Seine would be ready to host triathlon and open-water swimming events by 2024. That meant massive investment, to the tune of €1.4 billion, funneled into infrastructure upgrades, sewage treatment, and stormwater management.

Against all odds, they pulled it off. Athletes swam in the Seine during the 2024 Games, and the water passed all required quality tests. What had been a murky dream became a gleaming reality — and Parisians got their river back.

The return of swimming to the Seine isn't just a one-summer stunt. It's a throwback to the Belle Époque, when riverside leisure was part of daily life. Now, the Seine is once again a space for public joy — and a decent backstroke.

Swimming in the Seine in Paris Today

Artist's conception of swimming in the Seine at Bras Marie, photo Ville de Paris

Today, swimming in the Seine in Paris is no rogue stunt. It's organized, supervised, and city-sanctioned. For eight weeks during the summer, three river sites will open for daily swimming with lifeguards, changing rooms, and showers. All are free, and each one comes with its own view — think Eiffel Tower, historic bridges, leafy riverbanks.

The river sites join the existing favorites — Bassin de la Villette and Canal Saint-Martin…as part of a growing network of outdoor swimming options. It's not just for the daredevils anymore. You can float, splash, or swim laps — just don't cannonball onto a river barge. (Ouch!)

The New Seine Swimming Sites

Artist's conception of Seine swimming near the Eiffel Tower at Grenelle, photo Ville de Paris

Bras Marie — A Quiet Central Oasis

In the heart of Paris, across from Île Saint-Louis,, Bras Marie offers a low-key swim with postcard views. The 70 x 20-meter swim zone feels intimate but never cramped, with a 150-person limit. Lifeguards are on duty, and you'll find lockers, showers, and changing rooms. Swim hours: Mon–Sat 8:00 am–11:30 am; Sun 8:00 am–5:30 pm. Bonus: river navigation pauses while you swim. No need to dodge boats.

Bercy – The Biggest Splash

Straddling the 12th and 13th Arrondissements, the Bercy swim site is the city's largest. It features two long pools, a solarium, and even kayak rentals nearby. The Bibliothèque Nationale is just across the river, in case you'd like to follow your swim with some heavy French literature. Daily hours run 11:00 am–9:00 pm, with a 700-person capacity and space for 300 swimmers at once.

Grenelle – Swim with the Eiffel Tower

For the full "swimming near Eiffel Tower Paris" experience, Grenelle is the place. Located across from Île aux Cygnes, this spot offers a large swimming area and a family-friendly shallow pool. Weekday hours are 10:00 am–5:30 pm, with variations on weekends. With a 200-person capacity and plenty of space to sunbathe, it's as close as you'll get to a Seine-side beach.

Canal & Basin Swimming in Paris

Swimming in Canal Saint-Martin, photo Ville de Paris

Bassin de la Villette – The Family Favorite

The original modern Paris outdoor swimming site still draws a crowd. Bassin de la Villette in the 19th Arrondissement features four floating pools of varying depths — ideal for everyone from toddlers to triathletes. Hours run daily from 11:00 am to 8:30 pm, and entry is free. You'll also find lifeguards, changing cabins, and riverside deck chairs. It's a reliable bet for swimming in Paris summer 2025.

Canal Saint-Martin – The Sunday Swim

A more indie option, Canal Saint-Martin offers free swimming every Sunday from July through September. The swim zone is near Passerelle Bichat at the Bassin des Récollets, not very far from Gare de l'Est. From 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, locals and tourists alike take the plunge — no beach required. Changing rooms, deck chairs, and supervision are provided. It's one of the few Seine swimming locations Paris residents cherished before the official launch.

Safety, Water Quality & Supervision

Is it safe to swim in the Seine? Post-2024-Olympics the answer is "yes" — within the designated sites. Water quality is tested daily and swimming is suspended if the results aren't up to snuff (especially after heavy rain). All sites are staffed by lifeguards and equipped with first aid stations.

Swimming outside the marked areas is strictly off-limits. Not only is the current unpredictable, but river traffic and water quality can vary. Stick to the zones, and you'll be fine — and possibly even photogenic.

How to Swim Like a Parisian

Enjoying the waterways of Paris

First, show up early. These are free swimming spots Paris residents are definitely going to crowd. Bring your own lock for the lockers, a towel, and proper swimwear. Goggles and flip-flops wouldn't go amiss, either, when you're swimming in the Seine in Paris.

Second, check the day's water conditions — they're posted online and on-site. You don't want to get there just to find the swim canceled due to yesterday's thunderstorm. And don't forget to enjoy the scene. You're swimming in the Seine. In Paris. In summer. That's not something you say every day.

Nearby, Paris Plages continues to offer riverside games, lounging chairs, and snacks. Swimming in the Seine Paris isn't just a dip — it's a summertime ritual waiting to be reborn.

• City of Paris Swimming Information…