Swimming in the Seine is settling into a new Paris summer ritual as the city on Saturday opened three supervised bathing sites for the second year in a row.
The free swimming areas near City Hall, the Eiffel Tower and in eastern Paris will remain open through the summer, depending on water quality and weather conditions. They are placed under strict lifeguards' watch and authorities conduct daily water quality testing.
Visitors described swimming in the heart of the French capital as an unforgettable experience.
"It’s amazing to be swimming in the Seine while looking at the Eiffel Tower,” said Stewart Talbot, a tourist from Melbourne, Australia, visiting Paris for a week. "Maybe it’s not as good as the sea in Australia, but it’s better than our rivers.”
Some Parisians also have added swimming in the Seine to their bucket list.
