Century-long swimming ban in the River Seine finally lifted after historic cleanup.

The Seine Rivers returns to life: Swimming resumes after a century-long ban

After a century of being off-limits due to severe pollution, the River Seine in Paris is once again open for swimming. The historic river reopened on July 5, marking a significant milestone in the city's environmental efforts.

The ban on swimming in the Seine dated back to 1923, when the river's waters were heavily contaminated with E.coli, enterococci bacteria, industrial waste, sewage overflow, and urban runoff. However, thanks to extensive cleanup efforts and stricter regulations, the river's water quality has improved dramatically.

The €1.4 billion (US$1.6 billion) cleanup operation, completed in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics, has seen a remarkable transformation in the Seine's biodiversity. The number of fish species has increased from three to 32, and harmful air pollutants have decreased by 50-55% since 2005.

The city's official figures released in August show that reduced speed limits have made Paris quieter and decreased the number of road accidents. Under Hidalgo's administration, Paris has converted the Seine riverbanks from busy highways to pedestrian-friendly areas, planting some 130,000 trees to create new green spaces across the city.

Several anti-car policies have been implemented in Paris, including hiking parking fees for SUVs, closing roads in front of schools, and expanding sidewalks at the expense of street width. These measures, along with the cleanup of the Seine, are part of Hidalgo's broader vision to make Paris a greener, more sustainable city.

The Seine now boasts three designated swimming sites along the riverbank - near the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and in eastern Paris. Since their July 5 opening, nearly 40,000 people have taken advantage of the free swimming sites, according to Pierre Rabadan, Deputy Mayor for Sport and the 2024 Olympic/Paralympic Games.

However, concerns about water quality still linger, with some social media users referencing reports that some Olympians fell ill after competing in the Seine during the 2024 Games. Despite these concerns, the river will host open-water swimmers and triathletes during the 2024 Olympics, with its waters specially treated for competition.

The river's historic reopening was marked by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and other members of the Olympic committee taking a dip in the Seine to prove its safety. The return of swimming to the River Seine is not just a symbolic gesture, but a testament to the city's commitment to improving its environment and making Paris a cleaner, greener city for all its residents and visitors.

Century-long swimming ban in the River Seine finally lifted after historic cleanup.