First, France cleaned the polluted river so that Olympians could swim there. Now, a year later, it is opening three sites for locals to plunge in.According to The New York Times, on Saturday I had the opportunity to swim in the Seine, a river located in the heart of Paris. As I dived into the water, I was surrounded by the elegant ancient mansions of Île Saint-Louis and the stone bridges of the Seine stretching into the distance. A crowd of people were also enjoying the experience, laughing and splashing around with joy and wonder.
One swimmer, Martine Laupin, 76, expressed her excitement, saying, “What a joy. What a joy. This is Paris. Imagine!” It was a historic moment, as swimming has been banned in the Seine since 1923 due to boat traffic and pollution. However, France had promised to clean up the pollution and on Saturday, they delivered by opening three dedicated bathing sites in Paris. Two additional sites were also opened in the Marne River, a tributary a few miles upstream in the southern suburbs of Paris.
As I swam, I couldn’t help but notice the green and silky water. The gentle current guided me along a line of orange buoys, marking the official swim zone. Taking a deep breath, I dived under the water, which was surprisingly warm. A green flag hung on a nearby pole, indicating that the latest water-quality tests, taken just two hours before, had come back clear.
It was a momentous occasion, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to swim in the Seine. The ban on swimming had been in place for a century, but now, with the clean water, it was finally possible. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
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