Thomas McIntosh
BBC News
Reuters
Currently, Paris has three designated areas for swimming on the Seine
The Seine in Paris has reopened publicly to swimmers for the first time since 1923 after a century of ban.
The Seine seasonal opening for swimming is considered an important legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics, when open water swimmers and triathletes competed in waters that were specially cleaned for the event.
On Saturday morning at 08:00 local time (07:00 BST), dozens of swimmers arrived in front of the opening and jumped into the water when they were able to do so.
The Seine River has three designated areas for public swimming. There are three in eastern Paris, one near Eiffel Tower and the other near Notre Dame Cathedral.
The zone has changing rooms, showers and beach style furniture, allowing you to lay out towels for up to 300 people.
Until the end of August, the three swimming sites will be open for free at scheduled times to those who are 10 or 14 years of age, depending on location.
Lifeguards exist with an eye on the people of the river.
The promise to lift the swimming ban dates back to 1988, when then Paris and future President Jacques Chillac first proposed a reversal.
The improvements over the past 20 years have resulted in a sharp drop in fecal bacteria already entering the river.
For 100 years, swimming was prohibited in the river. This is due to the level of water pollution that can make people sick.
Over 1.4 billion euros (£1.2 billion, $1.6 billion) have been invested in cleaning up the Seine ahead of last summer’s Olympics.
But right up to the game, there were doubts as to whether the Seine was ready for the Olympics after it was revealed that it had failed water quality tests.
Organizers condemned the rainfall for increased pollution that limited the ability of athletes to train for triathlons, marathon swimming and paratria athlons.
Last July, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and other members of the Olympic Committee entered the Seine to prove it was safe to swim.
Last summer, BBC correspondent Hugh Schofield was among those taking a dip in the Seine.
