The Seine River in Paris has been officially opened for swimming for the first time in a century, and this experiment has already attracted more than 35,000 people.
Despite heavy rain, locals and tourists are not missing the chance to cool off in the waters of the famous river, which has only been open for 17 days during the month that the beaches have been open, with thorough cleaning carried out during the rest of the time.
The highest number of visitors was on July 13, when a record 5,700 people took a dip in the Seine.
Three equipped swimming areas
Three special beach areas have been prepared for the comfort of Parisians and visitors to the city: Bras Marie, De Grenelle — not far from the Eiffel Tower, and De Bercy with two swimming pools and a sauna.
All areas are equipped with changing rooms, showers and beach furniture, and lifeguards will be on duty to ensure safety. Between 150 and 300 people can be in the water at any one time. The swimming season will last until August 31.
The river clean-up is the result of many years of work by the authorities: over the past 20 years, experts have recorded a significant improvement in water quality, including a reduction in faecal bacteria. The project is part of Paris’s environmental transformation and an important step towards restoring the natural environment in the city centre.
