France celebrates return to Seine swimming after century-long ban

For a few days now, the world's eyes have been on France. There has also been a buzz about the Seine. President of France Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday, July 31st, that the river flowing through Paris is suitable for swimming.

The news shared by the French president with the world should bring joy to many, not only in the context of the ongoing Olympics. Surely, residents and tourists are pleased, as they can look forward to the opening of swimming areas and beaches along the river.

"Thanks to massive state investments, together with Paris and the Val-de-Marne department, we have achieved in four years what was impossible for a hundred years - the Seine is suitable for swimming," Macron wrote on X.

Let's remember that swimming in the Seine was banned over 100 years ago, specifically in 1923. Swimming was prohibited due to increased water traffic and significant river pollution. Since then, jumping into the Seine has been punishable by fines.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Jacques Chirac was the mayor of the capital, Parisians were promised that the ban on swimming in the river would be lifted. However, those promises could not be fulfilled—until now. Female athletes competing in the Olympic triathlon participated in the swimming competition in the Seine on Wednesday morning, covering a distance of nearly 1.6 kilometres. Earlier, on Tuesday, a men's race was supposed to take place over the same distance and route on the Parisian river, but due to pollution in the Seine after recent rains, the event was postponed to Wednesday.

Both tourists and Parisians are now waiting for the opening of the swimming areas. Optimists assume that this may happen in 2025.

The Seine River, which flows through 13 departments and the terrain of 333 municipalities, is 775 kilometres long. This makes it the third longest river in France, right after the Loire (1,020 kilometres) and the Rhone (813 kilometres). Some sources, however, report that it is the second longest river, as the Rhone flows partially through Switzerland—on French territory, its course is 521 kilometres long.

The Seine is a lowland river and has its sources on the Langres Plateau, at an altitude of only 471 metres above sea level. Already in the Middle Ages, goods were transported on it, which ensured development and income for the city's expansion. To this day, it is an icon of the city and a meeting place for Parisians. Tourists love to stroll along the popular river and take cruises on it, especially at sunset.