Yes — and it's genuinely new. Since July 2025, swimming has returned to the Seine in Paris for the first time since 1923, at three purpose-built, supervised sites. Outside those exact zones, swimming in the river is still banned, and dangerous.
Three official, free sites
Bras Marie near the Hôtel de Ville (4th arrondissement), the Bercy site (12th), and Bras de Grenelle (15th) are the three swimming zones set up in the Seine within Paris itself. Access is free, and lifeguards are on duty.
Seasonal opening, not year-round
For the 2026 season, the sites were announced open from 4 July to 30 August, with hours that vary by site — 8am-6pm at Bras Marie, 11am-9pm at Bercy, for example. Worth checking the exact hours for the site you're headed to, since they can shift from year to year.
Water quality can close a site overnight
The sites run continuous bacteria sensors; if levels are exceeded, or after heavy rain washes runoff from the city into the river, swimming can be suspended as a precaution for 24 to 36 hours. A green or red flag on site shows the day's status, and a map is kept updated on the City of Paris website.
Children need supervision, a flotation device is provided
Children under 14 must be with an adult, and a flotation aid is handed out at the entrance. An informal swimming-ability check may be asked for before going in.
The rest of the Seine is still off-limits for swimming
Outside these three zones, swimming in the river remains banned: river traffic (tour boats, barges), dangerous currents near locks, uneven depth, and submerged debris make it a genuine risk, water quality aside.
No diving from bridges or quays
Authorities explicitly warn against diving from a bridge, footbridge, or quay, entering the water gradually, and staying clear of boats and locks.
Tips
Before heading out on a swim day, check the site's status on the dedicated paris.fr page — a site can close without warning after a storm, even in the middle of summer. A regular swimsuit remains the safest bet, even though official sources don't spell out a precise dress rule.
