Opening Swimming Spots with a Stunning Eiffel Tower View: Paris Unveils Seine-side Swimming Locations - Enjoying swimming with the iconic Eiffel Tower as the backdrop: Paris unveils Seine water sites for public bathing
Paris is set to open three free swimming spots along the Seine River from July 5 to August 31, 2025, as part of the Paris Plages summer programme. The new locations will offer residents and tourists a unique opportunity to cool off in the heart of the city.
The largest site, Bercy in the 12th arrondissement, can accommodate up to 700 people, with 300 swimmers allowed at a time. Bras de Grenelle in the 15th arrondissement is a child-friendly spot, with a capacity of 200 people. Bras Marie, near the Pont Sully facing Ile-Saint-Louis, is the only location directly connected to Paris Plages, with space for 150 people. All sites will have lifeguards present during opening hours to ensure safety.
The initiative is closely linked to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games legacy. It marks the return of swimming in the Seine after a century-long ban, reviving a historic Parisian tradition. The project has been several years in the making and is intended to offer Parisians and visitors a unique urban swimming experience in the heart of the city.
The cleaning up of the Seine, funded by a state investment of around 1.4 billion euros, was done with the intention of making it suitable for Olympic events. This includes connecting many households upstream to the sewage system. The French Swimming Federation oversees safety in collaboration with professional operators.
Mayor Anne Hidalgo has been a vocal supporter of making the Seine swimmable again and transforming the city’s riverfront into recreational spaces. This project represents a tangible achievement of her ambition to reconnect Parisians with their river and legacy. The Olympic Games are expected to potentially take place in Paris by 2024, given the cleaned-up state of the Seine.
The swimming spot near the Eiffel Tower, while not directly mentioned as a location, is in proximity to iconic Paris landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, enhancing the allure of swimming in such a historic and scenic environment. Heatwaves are expected to become more frequent, making these swimming spots an essential addition to the city's summer offerings.
This historic return of swimming in the Seine is a significant step forward in Paris's efforts to make the river suitable for Olympic events and provide a refreshing escape for city dwellers and visitors alike.
In line with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games legacy, the newly opened swimming bathhouse near the iconic Eiffel Tower offers an outdoor-living experience for Parisians and visitors, providing a refreshing lifestyle amidst the city's home-and-garden and sports facilities. The expansion of swimming spots along the Seine River, including the one with an Eiffel Tower-view, reflects Mayor Anne Hidalgo's vision of reconnecting the city with its historic river and legacy, creating an appealing setting for sports enthusiasts and tourists alike.
