Each swimmer wore a vivid yellow lifebuoy tied round their waist, a part of strict security measures enforced by a dozen lifeguards in high-visibility vests. The present was weak, simply sufficient to tug gently at their limbs — a reminder that that is nonetheless a residing, city river.
“It’s so good to swim within the coronary heart of town, particularly with the excessive temperatures we’ve been having these days,” mentioned Amine Hocini, a 25-year-old building employee from Paris. “I’m shocked as a result of I assumed it was going to be cooler and actually, it’s a lot hotter than I assumed.”
The return to swimming follows a 1.4 billion euro ($1.5 billion) cleanup challenge tied to final 12 months’s Olympics. Officers now say the Seine meets European water high quality requirements on most days. Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who already took a dip final 12 months, was there Saturday morning, holding up a clear bottle stuffed with river water as a present of confidence. Environmental authorities confirmed micro organism ranges had been effectively under official thresholds.
Swimming within the Seine had been unlawful since 1923, with just a few exceptions, because of air pollution and dangers posed by river navigation. Taking a dip exterior bathing areas remains to be banned for security causes.
From the deck, vacationers and morning joggers stopped to look at. Some applauded as swimmers climbed up the metal ladders, grinning and dripping. Others, like François Fournier, remained skeptical.
“I gained’t threat it fairly frankly,” mentioned Fournier, who lives atop the riverbanks and noticed the scene from a bridge above. “I’ve seen issues you possibly can’t think about floating within the Seine, so I’ll await it to be actually squeaky clear.”
Floating particles nonetheless bobbed right here and there — a stray leaf, a plastic wrapper — however the odor was barely noticeable: no robust sewage odor, simply an earthy, river-like scent.
“That is so stylish, to swim within the Seine, subsequent to Île Saint-Louis,” mentioned Lucile Woodward, 43, a resident. “There are some apprehensions, after all, any time you go to swim someplace, however I believe this is likely one of the most examined areas in the entire world now. I don’t assume the city corridor can enable herself to have any issues.”
She added with fun: “My pores and skin is OK.”
