The Seine River in Paris reopens to public bathing for the first time since 1923.
On July 5, 2025, Paris’ iconic Seine River will be open to public bathing for the first time in over a century. This historic reopening follows decades of environmental efforts, multimillion-dollar investments, and cleanup campaigns. The event is part of an ambitious ecological project linked to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which promotes a greener, more livable, and sustainable city.
Historical context: 100 years without a public toilet on the Seine
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Since 1923, public bathing has been prohibited in the Seine River due to water pollution and health risks. In the early decades of the 20th century, the Seine was used as a channel for industrial waste and sewage, turning it into a toxic environment. The ban remained in place for over a century, despite intermittent efforts to clean it up. It was only in the 2010s that environmental rehabilitation plans began to gain traction, with a particular emphasis on decontaminating European urban rivers. • History of the Seine River • Why bathing in the Seine was prohibited • Seine River pollution in Paris
Million-dollar investment to clean the Seine
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The Seine River cleanup project was part of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games sustainability plan. The French government, together with Paris City Hall, invested more than €1.4 billion in infrastructure for water treatment, drainage systems, and waste disposal. Notable measures include: • Modernization of 20 water treatment plants. • Construction of a megatunnel for stormwater storage. • Reduction of runoff from nearby boats and buildings. • Seine River cleanup • Environmental investment in Paris 2024 • Sustainability in Paris
The Seine as a public space: designated bathing areas
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The City of Paris has opened three public bathing areas on the Seine River, all with supervised, free access, and health surveillance: • Rives de Seine Park (near the Pont Alexandre III) • Bassin de la Villette (expansion of the urban river area) • Île Saint-Louis (family area with showers and changing rooms) Each area will be open from July to early September, with daytime hours and daily water quality monitoring. The average water temperature in July was 22.5°C, considered safe for bathing. • Bathing areas on the Seine • Public bathing in Paris 2025 • Urban beaches in Europe
Ecological and social benefits
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The reopening of the Seine River for swimming not only symbolizes an environmental victory, but also a social one. The initiative seeks to democratize access to refreshing spaces in the summer, especially for vulnerable populations who cannot leave the city. Furthermore, the river’s flora and fauna have also recovered significantly: • Return of fish such as carp and perch. • Increase in waterfowl such as herons and ducks. • Improved air quality and reduction of urban heat islands. • Biodiversity in the Seine • Benefits of urban bathing • Nature in Paris
Citizen reaction and tourism
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The reopening was celebrated by thousands of Parisians and tourists. Viral videos showed entire families enjoying the river, with positive comments about the water quality and the event’s organization. Tourist agencies began offering «Seine Routes» focused on ecotourism and urban wellness. More than 2 million people are expected to visit the bathing areas before the end of the summer. • Tourism in Paris Summer 2025 • Outdoor activities in Paris • Ecotourism in Europe
International projection: a model for other cities
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The Paris model has already captured the attention of cities such as London, Berlin, and New York, which are exploring similar plans to rehabilitate urban rivers for recreational purposes. Organizations such as the World Urban Water Alliance have hailed the Seine as an «exemplary example of environmental restoration.» The project could open a new era for the relationship between citizens and urban bodies of water, transforming them into spaces for meeting, well-being, and sustainability. • Urban rivers for bathing • Ecological projects in cities • Paris, a model for a sustainable city
Post-Olympic Games Perspective
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Swimming in the Seine was also part of the legacy promised after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Triathlon and aquatic marathon competitions were held on the river, demonstrating its new quality and navigability. The International Olympic Committee and UNESCO have praised Paris’s vision as a «blue and green city of the 21st century.» • Paris 2024 legacy • Water sports on the Seine • Sustainable infrastructure in Paris
SUMMARY
The reopening of the Seine River to public bathing represents much more than an environmental milestone: it symbolizes an urban revolution where nature reintegrates with the city. With investment, political will, and citizen participation, Paris has demonstrated that it is possible to transform a polluted environment into a healthy, beautiful, and functional public space. The world is watching closely. • Sustainable Paris • Bathing in the Seine River 2025 • Eco-friendly cities of the future • Water quality in Paris • Positive environmental impact
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