After a $1.5 billion cleanup, the Seine reopens for swimming

Members of the public swim at the Baignade de Grenelle bathing site on its opening day. (Credit: Tom Nicholson—Getty Images)

Tourism authorities believe the re-opening of the Seine to the public will attract tourists, especially given the scenic locations of the three public swimming areas.

On Saturday, Parisians and tourists alike were able to swim in France’s Seine River for the first time in over a century. The river has been closed off to swimmers since 1923, when it was deemed too polluted to swim in safely.