It has been banned for 100 years, was long awaited and initially there were doubts about the water quality: But now swimming in the Seine is possible again in Paris - even at the Eiffel Tower.

It's a long-held wish of the people of Paris: Starting this Saturday, swimming in the Seine will be possible again after more than 100 years. Three outdoor pools have been set up for this purpose: one in the immediate vicinity of the Eiffel Tower, one not far from Notre-Dame Cathedral, and one near the National Library. Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Sports Minister Marie Barsacq, and other local celebrities are expected to attend the opening ceremony – many of them probably in swimsuits and determined to be among the first swimmers.

The outdoor pools are free to access within their capacity, have changing rooms and showers, are supervised by lifeguards, and also offer space for sunbathing. At the Eiffel Tower, there are also swimming areas specifically for families and children. The pools are open throughout the summer, using installations such as floating pontoons and containers, which are removed in the winter.

The water quality is continuously monitored, as swimmers dive directly into the Seine and do not swim in submerged pools, as has long been possible in the Bassin de la Villette canal in Paris. Swimming in the Seine was officially banned in 1923, but it continued to be practiced until the early 1960s.

"Everyone should be able to swim in the Seine starting this summer," said the Minister of Sport before the opening. In light of climate change and heat waves, people need places to cool off. During last summer's Olympic Games, competitions were already held in the river, demonstrating that investments of more than one billion euros in improved water quality had paid off. This involved modernizing wastewater treatment plants and connecting buildings to the sewer system that previously discharged wastewater into the river.

In light of the expected rise in temperatures in Paris, the quality of life in the city is also at stake, Mayor Hidalgo recently stated. A few days ago, temperatures in Paris reached 38 degrees Celsius, and the city is preparing for peak temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius in a few years. A first step to make the river more accessible to the public was the closure of the streets directly along the Seine's banks to car traffic, Hidalgo said.

The city beach, which was set up over the summer, will also reopen on Saturday, offering a variety of leisure and cultural activities for residents and tourists. "Paris Plages" transforms several kilometers of the Seine's banks into an open-air paradise with beach bars, deckchairs, boules courts, and sports activities. The urban beaches, with their large sandy areas, promise relaxation with views of Paris's sights.