Parisians and tourists dove into the joy of swimming in the Seine on Saturday as three free, supervised sites created for the 2024 Olympic Games reopened in a welcome respite after a record-breaking heatwave.
At the foot of the Eiffel Tower, swimmers were doing the breaststroke, chatting, or resting on their yellow floaters -— mandatory because of the current -— under the watchful eye of lifeguards in fluorescent T-shirts.
"It's better than the pool; it's not quite the beach, but it gives you the feeling you're already a little bit on holiday," said Lauriane Fiorentino, an employee at a construction company.
Sunbathers dotted the riverbank, adding to City of Light's charm.
"Look at this water, with the Eiffel Tower in the background ... Honestly, can it get any more beautiful than this?" marvelled American Benjamin Doncan.
