Perhaps the world’s most romantic river, the Seine in Paris is adding a new dimension to its storied reputation with the revival of an old tradition: public swimming.
Starting in 2025, both locals and visitors will be able to swim and sunbathe at three points along the river. However, you may be surprised to know that there are already several outdoor swimming pools across the city where you can escape the heat and cool off right now. A few even have views of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
Over the last few years, authorities have undertaken monumental efforts to clean the river in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games, with open-water swims, triathlon, and paratriathlon competitions scheduled to take place in the Seine’s waters. After the games, in 2025, the city will open its first three sites to public swimming: at Bras Marie, Bras de Grenelle, and Bercy.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time the Seine has been a venue for Olympic sporting events. When the French capital hosted its inaugural summer games in 1900, swimming events took place on the Seine, albeit beyond the city limits, between the Asnières and Courbevoie bridges. More than a century later, the starting line will lie beneath an extravagant and iconic bridge in the heart of the city: the Pont Alexandre III.
The €1.4 billion overhaul isn’t just a one-time effort for the Olympics. Rather, the cleanup aims to have a lasting impact, enabling Parisians to reclaim a waterway that was once a popular public swimming space during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Although the city officially banned swimming in 1923, locals continued to enjoy illicit dips until the 1960s, when declining water quality made swimming inadvisable.
The transformation of the Seine is part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s strategy against climate change. Last year, temperatures in Paris exceeded 40°C (104°F), and by 2050, predictions indicate that the city may experience temperatures as high as 50°C. A study published in The Lancet found that among major European capitals, Paris faces the highest mortal risk from heat waves, attributed to urban heat islands and air pollution. Given that air conditioning remains rare in private apartments and spotty in public buildings, the introduction of green public spaces and outdoor bathing sites is a crucial strategy for combating extreme urban heat in the French capital.
In the meantime, you don’t have to wait until 2025 to take a refreshing swim during your visit to Paris. Here are five reasons to pack your maillot de bain for your summer getaway.
1. Enjoy one of Paris’ most beautiful pools at Butte-aux-Cailles
As one of the most stunning and historic public pools in Paris (established in 1924), Butte-aux-Cailles is recognized as a historic monument due to its exceptional art nouveau architecture. The dense red-brick exterior hides an airy, light-filled interior, where swimmers perform laps beneath a vaulted ceiling and elegant arches. The venue features two indoor pools (one for adults and another for kids) and was the first to open an outdoor Nordic pool heated to 28°C (82°F) by repurposed heat from the basement. Remarkably, the outdoor pool remains open year-round.
2. Take a dip in the buff at Roger Le Gall pool
Named after a WWII hero of the French Resistance, the Roger Le Gall pool is situated in the eastern 12th arrondissement. This complex includes two swimming areas: an Olympic-sized pool open to the public for serious swimmers, and a smaller pool designated for sports clubs. In summer, the canopy above the larger pool is removed, allowing for an open-air swimming experience. Notably, in partnership with the Paris Naturist Association, the pool is open every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night for those who prefer to swim naked.
3. Swim in the Seine at the floating Josephine Baker pool
During summer months, the Josephine Baker pool in the 13th arrondissement transforms into a floating, open-air pool on the Seine, offering breathtaking views of this iconic river. This pool features four 25m (82ft) lanes, with depths ranging from 0.9 to 2.1m (3 to 7ft). If you prefer sunbathing, the pool offers a spacious 500 sq. m (5400 sq. ft) sundeck where you can relax on one of the chaises.
4. Join the locals for a swim at Bassin de la Villette (just not this year)
Since 2017, as part of its annual Paris Plages festival, Bassin de la Villette has offered a free outdoor swimming area in the city’s largest artificial body of water. The facility is divided into three distinct areas: a paddling pool for children, a small pool with a maximum depth of 1.2m (4ft), and a larger pool for experienced swimmers with a depth of 2.1m (7ft). Water quality is monitored daily, and the pool is wheelchair accessible, limited to just 500 bathers per day. While Paris Plages along the Seine is a highlight, this northern setting attracts more locals than tourists due to its distance from the city center. Other water activities available include kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.
However, it’s important to note that due to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Paris Plages program is on hiatus, with a return expected in the summer of 2025.
5. Splurge on a day pass to the luxurious Hôtel Molitor Paris
This extraordinary pool located at a luxury hotel is typically reserved for guests and private club members paying an annual fee of approximately €4500. Nevertheless, the outdoor pool at Hôtel Molitor Paris – MGallery deserves recognition for its historical significance: it was here that a former automotive engineer turned fashion designer named Louis Réard unveiled the groundbreaking bikini in 1946 during a swimsuit competition.
Although generally closed to the public, during the summer months, the pool offers day passes, granting access to the expansive art deco-style pools, rooftop restaurant and bar, hammam, sauna, and fitness centers. It’s important to note that a day at this exclusive open-air venue begins at €310.
