For the residents and guests of Paris, this is a historic event — a new era has begun with the lifting of the ban on mass swimming in the Seine River. For a century, swimming was not allowed in this river, but ahead of the 2024 Olympics, it was revived and opened both to Parisians and tourists, according to the BBC.
On the morning of July 5, swimming in the Seine immediately became the main topic of conversation on the streets of Paris — on the first day, dozens of people jumped into the river as soon as permission was given, witnessing this historic moment. This event attracted the attention not only of city residents but also of the world’s media.
Three special areas for swimming in the Seine have been organized: near the famous Eiffel Tower, by the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and in the eastern part of Paris. These locations have modern changing rooms and showers, serving up to 300 people at once. By the end of August, three more free swimming zones are planned to be opened.
Swimming in the Seine was banned in 1923 — the reason was a sharp decline in water quality and increased barge and boat traffic, making the river a dangerous area. The pollution of the water was primarily linked to the growth of the population and industrial activity.
President Jacques Chirac first promised to restore swimming in the Seine in 1988, and since then, cleanup efforts have continued. Ahead of the Olympics, 1.4 billion euros were spent on cleaning, and thanks to these drastic measures, the river is once again safe for swimming.
Officials note that Paris, remaining true to its ecological principles, once again proves that it is one of the world’s most modern and sustainable cities.
Zamin.uz continues to quickly cover environmental news and major urban social reforms. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!
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