Parisians are witnessing a historic and emotional moment as, for the first time since 1923, swimming is legally allowed in the Seine River, Gazeta Sinjali reports.
This milestone comes after a massive €1.4 billion clean-up project, launched in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. According to French officials, the water quality now meets European safety standards on most days, making recreational use of the river possible.
Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, called the moment a “childhood dream,” highlighting the cultural and ecological significance of bringing swimming back to the heart of the city.
Swimming in the Seine had been banned for over a century due to heavy pollution and the dangers of boat traffic. Now, with high summer temperatures, residents are taking full advantage of the opportunity to cool off in a clean and safe river.
