Seine reopens to Paris swimmers after century-long ban

The River Seine reopened to swimmers in Paris, marking the first time since 1923 that bathers could take a dip in the iconic waterway following a years-long cleanup effort.

The seasonal opening of the Seine for swimming is seen as a key legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics, when open-water swimmers and triathletes competed in its waters which were specially cleaned for the event. But officials reminded swimmers of potential dangers, including strong currents, boat traffic, and an average depth of 3.5 meters. The swimming spots are open to the public for free until August 31.