First bathing in the Seine after 100 years: Parisian celebrate a big moment!

First bathing in the Seine after 100 years: Parisian celebrate a big moment!

Paris, Frankreich - On July 5, 2025, Paris experienced a historical event: for the first time in more than 100 years, public bathing took place again in the Seine. In a symbolic step, the first bathers got into the river under the supervision of lifeguards, which was taboo for a long time due to poor water quality. This initiative is part of the comprehensive program of the Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, which has worked for a cleaning of his up to the 2024 Olympics.

A total of three monitored bathing spots are available in the SEIN, which are open to the public free of charge. One of the bathing spots is in the immediate vicinity of the famous Eiffel Tower, which attracts both locals and tourists. Special attention is paid to the water quality that is continuously monitored. If this deteriorates, bathing operations could be set immediately to protect the health of the bathers.

extensive investments for water cleaning

In order to improve the water quality in the SEIT, the state has invested around 1.4 billion euros. Part of these financial means flows into modern sewage treatment plants and the connection of numerous households to the wastewater system. Shipping, which has been an important argument against bathing since 1923, is no longer to collide with the burden on water quality. hidalgo himself demonstrated the bathing suitability by sponge in mid-July. The e-coli values that serve as indicators for fecal load were below the specified limit. This is particularly important to meet the requirements of the EU with regard to bathing water quality.

The water quality in rivers is fluctuating heavily due to various influences, such as precipitation, which can lead sewer wastewater into the water. In order to avoid overloading of the sewage system, a new rainwater retention basin was installed in Paris, which stores rainwater and only after a corresponding clarification into which SEE is derived. This helps to ensure that the bathing season is not endangered by sudden dirt.

bathing water in Europe

Water quality is also very important in Germany, as a current investigation shows. In the 2024 bathing season, 2,291 German bathing water was tested, with 98 percent met the quality requirements of the EU bathing water guideline. Particularly positive: almost 91 percent of these waters received the grade "excellent". The EU and national authorities have strict guidelines that have to be met regularly. In Munich, too, the Isar is treated with UV disinfection in the summer months to secure water quality.

Overall, it shows that both Paris and other European cities like Munich work with extensive measures to keep rivers in and ensure bathing water quality. The progress is not only a profit for the environment, but also an invitation to enjoy the water landscapes, which are cleaner and healthier due to the efforts.