More than a century after Paris banned diving in the River Seine due to pollution, citizens of Paris and tourists will finally be able to swim in these iconic waters again from this Saturday.
The ban has been in place since 1923, when the water quality of the river that runs through the French capital deteriorated to the point where it posed significant risks to public health. Now, after an estimated 1.4 billion euros in investment to clean up and modernize the sanitation system, the Seine is officially back as a diving spot — albeit only in three authorized bathing areas.
The areas open to the public are located next to Notre-Dame Cathedral, near the Eiffel Tower and in an area further east of Paris. Outside of these areas, diving in the river is still prohibited for safety reasons.
