Paris opens the Seine for swimming – a new bathing paradise!

Paris opens the Seine for swimming – a new bathing paradise!

Parisians are overjoyed because from Saturday residents of the French capital will finally be able to swim in the Seine again - after more than 100 years of restrictions. Three outdoor swimming pools will be specially set up in the river, one of which will be in the immediate vicinity of the iconic Eiffel Tower. This is not only a highlight for the city, but also a significant step on the way to the 2024 Olympics, in which athletes will be allowed to dive into the Seine despite temporarily borderline water quality. A step that amazes many and follows the example of other European cities, where swimming in urban waters has long been an issue. PZ News reports that swimming in rivers is now also being discussed in other cities.

Swimming in the waters of European cities is a double-edged sword. In London, swimming in the Thames is usually undesirable in large parts of the city. It is only permitted in a small section west of Putney Bridge, but this is not recommended here either. There is also a closed section of canal in Canary Wharf that allows swimming.

Swimming in European cities

What is it like in Amsterdam? Swimming in the canals in the tourist center is not recommended due to the high frequency of boats. But those who enjoy swimming will find popular spots in the IJ behind the main train station or in the historic inner harbor near the shipping museum. In Rome, however, swimming in the Tiber is generally forbidden because the river is heavily polluted, while citizens' initiatives to revitalize the water have so far been unsuccessful.

A look at Berlin shows that there has been a ban on swimming in the Spree for around 100 years. The latest swimming demonstration fighting for the re-authorization is proving to be a courageous attempt to bring movement to the discussion about safety and hygiene.

• Schwimmen in städtischen Flüssen:
  • London: Teilweises Schwimmen erlaubt, aber nicht ratsam
  • Amsterdam: Beliebte Schwimmstellen im IJ
  • Rom: Schwimmen im Tiber verboten
  • Berlin: Schwimmverbot in der Spree

On the other hand, Switzerland has a completely different approach: swimming in urban lakes and rivers is widespread here. Cities like Zurich, Geneva and Basel offer clean waters that are inviting for swimming. Even in Budapest there are designated areas in the Danube where swimming is permitted, with the water quality increasing or decreasing depending on traffic and water levels.

Water quality in Europe

If you look at the general water quality in Europe, it is clear that the situation has improved significantly. An EU report shows that almost 85% of bathing water in Europe was of “excellent” quality in 2021. In Germany the proportion was even higher, at 90.4%. Of 2,291 German bathing areas, 2,071 were classified in the highest quality category. Austria, Malta and Croatia also boast similar values, which is positive for both tourism and the environment. EU Representation Germany reports that the EU guidelines for monitoring water quality are in force to ensure the safety of bathers.

According to the European Environment Agency, bathing waters in Europe have been on an upward trend for decades, with 84.6% of the 22,295 bathing waters in 2019 being of excellent quality. Thanks to systematic monitoring and investments in sewage treatment plants, pollution levels have been significantly reduced. EEA provides comprehensive data here showing that most bathing areas in the EU exceed the minimum standards.

In summary, European cities are on the right track when it comes to swimming in urban waters. Paris shows how it can be done, and other metropolises should learn from it as water quality continues to become a focus in urban areas. This is not only a benefit for the residents, but also for tourism and the quality of life in the cities.