Swimming in this river was banned for 102 years. This summer, you can finally do it legally

More than a century after Paris banned swimming in the Seine due to pollution, Parisians and tourists can once again cool off in the famous river. Perfect for a vacation!

"The next one will be in a hundred years," sang Budka Suflera about a solar eclipse, but it turns out that it also fits... bathing in the Seine .

Due to water pollution , among other reasons, bathing in the Seine has been strictly prohibited since 1923. Since Saturday, in three places – near the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower and in the eastern part of Paris – you can once again cool off in the river.

Seine, sample photo / Unsplash, Paris Photographer | Février Photography

It's all thanks to a massive €1.4 billion clean-up project that made the river water suitable for the Olympic competitions last year.

As we read on CNN , during preparations for the Games , new disinfection units were opened and a huge retention tank was created to prevent sewage containing bacteria from flowing into the Seine during rainfall.

Moreover, houseboats , which previously poured waste directly into the river, were compulsorily connected to the city's sewage system .

Seine, sample photo / Unsplash, Hyukjoon Sohn

The water in the Seine will be tested daily to confirm whether it is suitable for swimming, Parisians and tourists will be informed by the color of the flag .

Since the beginning of June, apart from two exceptions, the water quality has met European standards every day. Unfortunately, weather conditions have a big impact here, and these cannot be precisely predicted. However, the authorities of Paris are convinced that the water quality is much better than last year and they hope that the number of days when bathing areas will have to be closed will be small.

Despite everything, some experts and residents of Paris remain skeptical about the idea. They are not convinced by the murky color of the river water , the garbage floating in it and the tourist boats that also generate pollution.

The news that after 102 years, bathing in the Seine has been restored has met with a rather positive response. Until the end of August, the bathing areas will be open free of charge at designated times for anyone over 10 or 14 years of age.

Have you been planning a vacation in France ? Now is a really good opportunity!