Paris' River Seine reopens to swimmers after century-long ban
A few dozen swimmers arrived ahead of the opening at 8:00 am (0600 GMT) for the long awaited moment, diving into the water under the watchful eye of lifeguards, an AFP journalist said.
The seasonal opening of the Seine for swimming is seen as a key legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics, when open water swimmers and triathletes competed in its waters which were specially cleaned for the event.
Three swimming zones are open to the public at bras Marie in the heart of the historic centre, the Grenelle district in the west of Paris, and Bercy in the east.
All are equipped with changing rooms, showers, and beach-style furniture, offering space for 150 to 300 people to relax, lay out their towels, and unwind from the city's hustle and bustle.
The promise to lift the swimming ban dates back to 1988, when then-mayor of Paris and future president Jacques Chirac first advocated for its reversal.
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