Seine River Reopening Continues to be a Hit with Swimmers – Local and International
Since reopening to public swimming last month, the River Seine has become a popular destination for local and international visitors. In July, the Seine was reopened to public bathing for the first time in more than 100 years, with three official locations designated. In the time since, thousands of Parisians and tourists have gone for a dip in the famed river.
The Seine was used at last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris for the open-water swimming events, along with the swimming portion of the triathlon. Prior to its used for Olympic purposes, the river was off limits due to heavy pollution and risks associated with boat travel down the waterway. But a cleanup project that cost more than $1.5 billion prepared the Seine for Olympic use and, eventually, its current use by French citizens and tourists.
Since the sites opened, more than 40,000 swimmers have hopped in the Seine, which is monitored by lifeguards. The water is tested daily to ensure quality, and swimmers are also required to use a buoy for safety reasons. At the Grenelle site, swimmers have a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower.
A heatwave in the French capital this week is expected to boost the number of swimmers using the Seine.