Seine bathing sites in Paris remain shut following rainfall
After a century-long hiatus, the River Seine in Paris has reopened for public swimming, with three designated spots for bathers to enjoy. The locations, near Notre Dame, by the Eiffel Tower, and in eastern Paris, are part of a larger plan to eventually open up to 10 swimming locations by 2030.
The decision to reopen the river for swimming follows extensive efforts by authorities to improve water quality, particularly in preparation for Olympic events held on the Seine last summer. The water at the designated spots is now deemed safe for swimming during the event period, which runs from July 5 to August 31, 2025.
Authorities closely monitor water quality at these specific locations to ensure it meets safety standards for public swimming. Swimming is only permitted in these monitored, controlled spots, with regulations in place to minimise risks associated with pollution or unsafe water conditions.
While specific guidelines related to heavy rain are not detailed in the sources, it is common practice for river swimming authorities to suspend or issue warnings against swimming when heavy rains occur, as runoff can increase pollution and bacterial contamination.
The Paris City Hall has invested over 1.4 billion euros to improve water quality upstream of the river, and works have been carried out to capture wastewater to prevent it from flowing into the river when it rains.
It is likely that authorities have safety protocols for vulnerable swimmers, such as pregnant women, the elderly with reduced immunity, people with illnesses or skin conditions. However, explicit details on these measures were not found in the available information.
The City Hall has announced the closure of several bathing sites, including those in Seine, Bercy, Bras de Grenelle, Bras Marie, and the Pont Marie, on Sunday, July 6, due to heavy rainfall in Paris. The City Hall assures that samples will be taken every day at the bathing sites and at the entrance to Paris for analysis.
The City Hall's deputy mayor for sports, Pierre Rabadan, stated that sites may be closed the day after heavy rain due to concerns about water quality. The mayor of Paris center, Ariel Weil, and the mayor of the 10th arrondissement, Alexandra Cordebard, have commented on the situation on social media.
In addition, a special pool has been set up for families to offer the bathing experience to all, free of charge. However, it is important to note that bathing is prohibited for those under 14 years old in the Seine.
Swimmers are advised to exercise caution and seek additional advice from official sources or lifeguards during the event to ensure their safety. The system is dynamic, with the potential for closures or warnings in conditions such as heavy rain.
Social scientists might study the impact of the reopened River Seine on Parisians' health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise habits. As the water quality improves, more residents may incorporate river swimming into their environmental-science-supported lifestyle. Rules about swimming during heavy rainfall are crucial for ensuring public safety.
