When Paris hosted the Summer Olympics in 2024, the topic of swimming in the Seine river certainly generated a lot of discussion. Sports fans (and generally curious people) watched from around the world to see if the city would be able to improve the river’s water quality to a level sufficient for safe long-distance swimming. Miraculously they achieved their goal, and the following year (this summer!) they opened three section of the Seine for public swimming. As a fearless female traveler in Paris, I knew I had to swim in the Seine for myself!
I arrived in Paris on July 4th and had planned to go swimming in the Seine on my first full day in the city. However, the swimming zones ended up being closed due to heavy rain, and it wasn’t until my last day in the city that I once again had time to go for a swim. Knowing the river hadn’t been open for public swimming in more than 100 years, I knew I couldn’t leave without being one of the first people to take a dip!
⭐ Note: In 2026, the Seine is scheduled to be open for swimming from July 4th until August 30th! ⭐
Where To Swim in the Seine
In Summer 2025, there are three places you can swim in the Seine:
- Baignade Grenelle – A short walk away from the Eiffel Tower and accessible from the Bir Hakim Bridge, the waters here are protected thanks to the Ile de Cynges.
- Baignade Bras Marie – It doesn’t get much more central than this swimming spot near Notre Dame and Ile Saint-Louis.
- Baignade Bercy – By far the largest swimming zone, with capacity for 700 people, this will be the easiest spot to get into on a weekend afternoon.
I couldn’t resist the chance to swim under the Eiffel Tower, so I went to the Quai de Grenelle swimming spot. I was surprised by how small the facility was, but to be fair on the weekday morning when I visited shortly after opening it wasn’t very busy at all!
There are several other outdoor swimming spots that aren’t in the Seine, including two in Canal Saint Martin. You can find them all on the map linked below.
Beach Openings and Closures
The different swimming spots around Paris will open and close depending on water conditions, weather conditions and special events. You need to check the official map an hour or two before you go, to ensure that swimming is possible. Swimming conditions can change quickly, and I know from personal experience that it’s not a good use of time or money to take the metro across the city only to find the beach is closed!
I did take a photo of the posted hours of operation for Baignade Grenelle, but I need to emphasize that these are best-case scenario hours. They will close the swimming zone during these times, with very short notice, if there is any reason that swimming wouldn’t be safe or comfortable. That’s why you must check the website linked above!
Note: Sometimes when you load the website to check the beach status, the map doesn’t appear. If that happens to you, wait a few minutes and then reload the page. The map shown above is the only reliable source of information about current swimming availability.
What to Bring to Swim in the Seine
Personally, I recommend you wear your swimsuit under some loose, dark clothes. For shoes, flip-flops are ideal.
Although there were security guards and lockers at Baignade Grenelle I still wouldn’t bring anything expensive or important. I brought my phone, my Navigo metro pass, a photocopy of my ID, €20 cash, underwear and a towel, but I left my wallet and passport in my hotel room.
So, How is the Swimming in the Seine?
Honestly, swimming in the Seine under the Eiffel Tower was one of the best things I’ve ever done in Paris!
There was a wide staircase with handles to help you access the water (jumping and diving off the docks is not permitted). They are a bit slippery, so don’t hesitate to hold on as you get in and out of the river.
After five steps you’re about waist-deep in the Seine, and from there you have to jump right in! I want to make it really clear that you absolutely cannot stand up here! You are in the river!
I was impressed with the water temperature and clarity; I saw a few small fish swimming near the steps but other than that the water in the swimming area was completely clear. I did try to keep my mouth closed when I was swimming, but most of the other people there didn’t hesitate to put their faces right in the water and swim under the surface.
I swam to the furthest point allowed for the closest view of the Eiffel Tower, and then I paddled and floated around the central swimming area for about half an hour. It was a weekday morning and there were very few people in the water, so there was lots of space for everyone to take in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. So many Paris attractions are overcrowded, so I really did appreciate all the space we had here.
Swimming in the Seine with Kids
Swimmers must be 140 centimeters tall (or about 4’7″) to be allowed to swim directly in the Seine. For anyone shorter, or for people who can’t swim, there is a very shallow kiddie pool at Baignade Grenelle. It is less than waist-deep for most adults, so kids can splash around and adults can sit directly in the water to supervise them.
Facilities for Swimmers in the Seine
First, I have to say that there are lockers at Baignade Grenelle! The lockers are free and easy to program with a combination of your choice. I just forgot to take a picture of them! I didn’t worry about my stuff at all when it was in my locker!
Some of the other facilities available for people swimming in the Seine by the Eiffel Tower include:
- Free sunscreen dispensers
- Changing cabins
- Toilets
- Showers
- Storage boxes by the water
There was a beautiful bank of outdoor showers but they were not turned on when I visited. Instead, there were two showers in blue booths (shown above) that were very clean but that didn’t have enough water pressure to leave you feeling properly showered. They were good for a rinse before getting changed, but not for a real shower. With that in mind, plan to return to your accommodation right after you swim in the Seine for a full, proper shower!
The one amenity that you won’t find here is rows of sunbeds for relaxing and suntanning. Baignade Grenelle really is for swimming; for sunbathing consider Bassin de la Vilette on Canal Saint Martin, or the riverbank between Pont Neuf and Pont Sully.
Staying Safe in the Seine
I went swimming in one of the three designated swimming areas in The Seine. In these locations, the water quality is tested daily, there is not a strong current, you are protected from boat traffic and there are lifeguards supervising swimmers. At Baignade Grenelle it was also mandatory for all swimmers, regardless of ability level, to wear a swim buoy (tied to your waist like a belt). These weren’t so much to help keep you afloat as they were to keep you visible to the lifeguards on the shore.
⚠️ It’s dangerous to swim outside of these three designated area and you shouldn’t even think about it! ⚠️
Looking for other unforgettable Paris travel experiences? What about staying inside a historic covered passage or taking a custom perfume-making workshop?
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