Following a spate of drownings this summer, France has announced an increase in fines for people caught swimming in prohibited areas or ignoring red flag warnings.
A decree published in France's Journal Officiel raised the fixed fine for swimming in prohibited areas from €38 to €68.
The new rules apply across France and are aimed at discouraging people from swimming in dangerous places after a sharp rise in fatal drownings during this summer's heatwaves.
The government said the tougher penalties are intended to crack down on risky behaviour that can lead to drownings and put other people using rivers, lakes and other waterways at risk.
The change follows a joint request from the Paris Police Préfecture and the Île-de-France regional Préfecture, which said they had seen a rise in people swimming in unauthorised locations, particularly during heatwaves.
