First public swimming in the Seine for a century
Slowly, then all at once, Paris banned public swimming in the dirty Seine. Now it's clean enough to hold the Olympics, and will open July 5 to the public
From the City of Paris website, in French
A ChatGPT translation appears below the image.
From ChatGPT:
This event is part of Paris Plages 2025
Where can you swim in Paris this summer?
Paris Plages 2025 brings the colors of Brazil!
Paris en Seine: Full Program for the 12th Arrondissement
From July 5 to August 31, 2025, you can swim in the Seine! The Quai de Bercy site offers two free swimming areas and a sunbathing deck, open to the whole family.
The swimming area is located across from the National Library of France (13th arrondissement), on both sides of the Simone de Beauvoir footbridge, just below Bercy Park (12th arrondissement). You’ll find two pools—one measuring 35 by 12.5 meters and the other 67 by 11 meters—each protected by side barriers. A large area on the quay has been set up using containers, with a beach-like sun deck where you can relax after your swim.
To enter, you must know how to swim, be at least 10 years old, and measure at least 1.2 meters (about 4 feet) in height. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult, with no more than three children under 14 per adult. Bercy is the largest swimming site on the Seine, with a total capacity of 700 people, including 300 in the swimming zones. A flotation ring is required for everyone—it’s provided on site and must be returned in good condition. Lifeguards supervise all swimmers and ensure these rules are followed. There will be at least five lifeguards on duty at all times.
Facilities include changing rooms, secure lockers, showers (mandatory before swimming), restrooms, a first aid station, and seating areas for sunbathing and relaxation.
The Bercy swimming site is open every day, provided safety conditions are met: moderate current, good water quality (tested daily by the City of Paris), and favorable weather. In case of unexpected closures, visitors can check onsite or on the dedicated page of the City of Paris website for updates.
John Pearce