Parisians swim in the River Seine again after over a century-long ban

For the first time since 1923, Parisians took a dip in the River Seine today, reclaiming a long-lost tradition after more than a century of prohibition.

The historic return to swimming came a year after Olympic athletes were granted access to the river and was carried out under strict supervision by French authorities.

At 8 a.m., the first group of swimmers entered the water from a specially prepared site near Île Saint-Louis, in the heart of the French capital. The launch area featured buoys equipped with seats and storage lockers to ensure comfort and safety.

Dozens of lifeguards in fluorescent yellow shirts and red shorts, along with Paris police patrols in rubber boats, monitored the event closely. Each swimmer wore a yellow buoy tied around the waist and swam within a clearly marked safety perimeter.

Pierre Rabadin, Paris City Hall’s sports affairs official, told RMC radio that the water met all necessary health standards, with a comfortable temperature of 25°C.

He emphasized that the initiative reflects the city’s efforts to improve water quality in preparation for hosting swimming events during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The symbolic moment marks a major environmental and civic milestone, reconnecting Parisians with one of their most iconic landmarks.