The city of Paris has opened three swim spots along the Seine River, allowing residents and tourists to take a refreshing plunge in the water. This is the second summer in a row that the river has been open for swimming, and it’s a major milestone in the city’s efforts to clean up the river.

A Complicated History

The Seine River has a long and complicated history when it comes to swimming. In the 17th century, Parisians would swim in the river, but this practice was eventually banned due to public decency concerns. In the 19th century, bathing in the river became a popular social and sporting event, with wealthier establishments offering swimming lessons and hosting swimming events.

However, the river’s golden age began to fade in the early 20th century due to pollution and safety concerns. The French government implemented a total ban on swimming in the river in 1923, and the river became a toxic mess. By the 1970s, the Seine was effectively biologically dead, with only three resilient species of fish remaining.

Cleanup Efforts

In the 1980s, the city of Paris began to take steps to clean up the river. A major engineering project was undertaken to overhaul the city’s wastewater treatment system and connect thousands of riverside homes to the sewer network. The project included the construction of a massive underground basin to hold excess stormwater and prevent it from flowing into the river.

The cleanup efforts have been successful, with the number of major sewage overflow events into the Seine reduced from 15 per year to just two. The river is now safe for swimming, and the city has opened three public swim spots along its banks.

The swim spots offer a unique and refreshing way to experience the city. At Bras Marie, bathers can swim beneath the 19th-century Pont Louis-Philippe and take in the views of the old city. Grenelle offers swimming with direct views of the Eiffel Tower, while Bercy is the largest of the three sites and offers a 67-meter pool for those looking for a workout.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.