For the first time in a century, French authorities have reopened three supervised, free swimming sites along the River Seine in Paris. This initiative aligns with preparations for the 2024 Olympic Games and coincides with a surge of interest from locals and tourists amid rising temperatures.
The opening day saw large crowds enjoying swimming or simply relaxing by the riverbanks, basking in the sun and engaging in conversations. Swimmers are required to wear yellow floats to mitigate risks from water currents.
This revival marks a historic return to swimming in the River Seine, following a ban that lasted nearly 100 years. The reopening coincides with Paris hosting the 2024 Olympics. Last season, these sites attracted around 100,000 visitors.
Located in eastern, central, and western Paris, the swimming sites will remain open to the public free of charge until late August.
The river's water quality undergoes multiple daily inspections due to weather impact, and authorities inform visitors of water conditions via a color-coded flag system: green for swimming allowed, orange for caution, and red for swimming prohibited.
On Saturday morning, police reported finding the body of a man in his thirties in the Canal Saint-Martin, as per AFP sources. On June 26, a man drowned while swimming outside permitted areas at the same site.
Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari announced on Thursday that the drowning death toll has risen to "over 90" since June 19, describing the figure as "alarming."