After 100 years: Paris' Seine open for swimming

The Seine River was reopened to swimmers in Paris Saturday morning, for the first time since 1923, following years of cleaning efforts. For the first time in a hundred years, bathers were able to dip into the iconic waterway.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the exciting opening in a tweet on his X account: "It is a source of pride for the country." He also added: "One of my predecessors, then the Mayor of Paris, dreamed of a Seine River where everyone could swim. Tomorrow, his promise will come true. This is the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris after 100 years of prohibition, a collective effort."

“Thank you to the regional inspector, the City of Paris, and the Val-de-Marne County Council, to all the elected officials and stakeholders involved. We did it,” the president added.