Paris opens three bathing areas in the Seine for the summer – season until August 30

Paris – 05.07.2026: In Paris swimming in the Seine is officially permitted again. Since July 4 the three municipal bathing areas Quai de Bercy, Bras Marie and Bras de Grenelle have been opened; the season runs until August 30, 2026. The opening is linked to the infrastructure developed for the 2024 Olympic Games and tested in summers since then. In parallel the Bassin de la Villette remains open daily.

The sites are equipped with secured accesses, pontoons, changing rooms and showers. Capacities and opening hours are posted on site and coordinated by security teams staffed with lifeguards and first responders. The Fédération française de natation supports the organization; the City of Paris is responsible for operation and supervision. For visitors: swim only within the marked areas, follow staff instructions and respect the posted capacity limits.

Water quality is measured and published daily. In adverse hydrometeorological conditions – for example after heavy rain, which can increase bacterial load – the city reserves the right to temporarily close individual zones at short notice. The monitoring involves the Préfecture de la région Île-de-France and the Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS); additional sensors upstream of the bathing areas record current, temperature and relevant microbiological parameters. Authorities point out that swimming outside the authorized sections remains prohibited and dangerous.

The opening is also intended to provide sporting impulses: planned swim trainings, guided beginner courses and low-threshold exercise offerings expand the urban sports program in summer. According to the city the zones were heavily used already in 2025; for 2026 operators expect even higher demand, which is why access points and waiting areas have been adjusted to avoid crowding. Port operator HAROPA-Port and the navigation authorities have clarified navigation rules for the season; temporary speed limits for commercial shipping should increase safety at the entry points.

For a smooth visit authorities recommend checking the City of Paris’s daily notices in advance. There you can find opening hours, possible closures and hygiene recommendations. Those using the Seine should bring non-slip shoes, pay attention to marked current zones and allow children into the water only in direct supervision. The city also points to collection points for valuables and free drinking water dispensers at the entrances.

As relevant contacts the city administration names, in addition to ARS and the Préfecture, the Fédération française de natation, Voies Navigables de France and HAROPA-Port. They coordinate safety requirements, water data and the coordination with shipping. With this Paris links the goal of permanently establishing the river as a public sports and recreation space – under clear rules for safety and water quality.