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People enjoy the water at the Grenelle safe bathing site on the Seine River in Paris, France, Saturday, July 5, 2025.

Video. Watch: Parisians swim in Seine for the first time in 100 years

Updated:

For the first time in over a century, Parisians and tourists are officially allowed to swim in the River Seine — and many are already diving in.

The historic return to the water follows a €1.4 billion clean-up project that transformed the iconic river into a safe space for Olympic athletes and now, the public.

Three supervised bathing spots are opening along the riverbank — near Notre Dame, by the Eiffel Tower, and in the city’s east.

Swimming in the Seine was banned in 1923, with only rare exceptions. Today, strict safety measures remain, but improved water quality and new infrastructure mark a turning point.

The sites remain open through August, free of charge, with age limits and safety rules in place.

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