Citizens of Paris boldly dive into the river Seine, a venture not seen in over a century
In a historic milestone, Parisians were legally allowed to swim in the Seine for the first time in over 100 years on Saturday. This momentous occasion marks the end of a 1.4 billion euro cleanup project tied to last year's Olympics, which has transformed the once heavily polluted river into a clean and safe waterway.
Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who has long dreamt of making people swim in the Seine, hailed this transformation as a significant environmental achievement. The river's water quality, now meeting European standards on most days, has been confirmed 'exceptional' by Marc Guillaume, the prefect for the Paris' Ile-de-France region.
However, swimming in the Seine is still only allowed in designated areas, such as two wooden decks near the Eiffel Tower and the Ile Saint-Louis, for safety reasons. Swimmers were seen wearing bright yellow lifebuoys and were supervised by lifeguards in high-visibility vests.
Despite the excitement, not everyone is convinced about the river's cleanliness. Francois Fournier, a resident who lives atop the riverbanks, remains sceptical, citing concerns about pollution. Lucile Woodward, another resident, expressed excitement about swimming near Ile Saint-Louis, but admitted to having some apprehensions.
The current of the Seine, once a symbol of the city's industrial past, is now weak, making it a living, urban river. Floating debris such as a stray leaf and plastic wrapper are less apparent compared to before, and the smell of the Seine is barely noticeable, with no strong sewage odour, just an earthy, river-like scent.
The return of swimming in the Seine has been a long-awaited event. Swimming in the Seine had been illegal since 1923, with a few exceptions, due to pollution and risks posed by river navigation. The levels of E. coli and enterococci bacteria in the Seine were found to be ten times and more than 25 times below the official thresholds, respectively.
On Saturday, Mayor Hidalgo took a dip in the Seine and held up a transparent bottle filled with river water as a show of confidence. Some tourists and morning joggers stopped to watch swimmers, with some applauding as swimmers climbed out of the water. Amine Hocini, a 25-year-old construction worker from Paris, expressed joy about swimming in the heart of the city due to the high temperatures.
As the Seine continues to reclaim its role as a vital and vibrant part of Parisian life, it serves as a testament to the power of collective effort and the potential for urban rivers to evolve and adapt in the 21st century.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2021/aug/20/paris-seine-river-swimming-clean-up-olympics [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58398109 [5] https://www.thelocal.fr/20210821/paris-river-swimming-allowed-for-first-time-in-a-century
In light of the river's transformation, some Parisians are considering adopting an 'outdoor-living' lifestyle, with the Seine offering a unique opportunity for 'home-and-garden' activities, such as swimming. During the weekend sports events, the rejuvenated river could potentially host various competitions, thus enhancing the city's 'lifestyle' appeal.
As the Seine becomes an increasingly integral part of Parisian life, it may soon become a popular venue for sports enthusiasts seeking new experiences, further enriching the city's vibrant atmosphere.
