The Seine River in Paris reopened for public swimming on July 5, 2023, after a long closure since 1923. This initiative followed significant investment, over $1.4 billion, to clean the river to host Olympic events. The public can swim at three sites until August 31: Bercy, Bras-Marie, and Grenelle. These sites have lifeguards, outdoor furniture, and changing facilities. The capacity varies, with Bercy accommodating 300 swimmers, while Bras-Marie and Grenelle are limited to 150. Access is on a first-come, first-served basis without bookings.
"It's a childhood dream to have people swimming in the Seine," Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, who was instrumental in the cleanup, said during an event commemorating the day.
"Being able to swim with a view of the Eiffel Tower is amazing," Parisian local Fabrice Atallah told Travel + Leisure. Atallah, who lives just outside the center of Paris, dived in at Grenelle a week after the official opening.
Access to the river operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with no prebooking available. The sites are supervised by lifeguards and are set up with outdoor furniture to relax on.
The biggest site, Bercy, can accommodate up to 300 people in two swimming areas, while Bras-Marie and Grenelle both have a capacity of 150 people in the water at any one time.
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