Paris lake open to swimmers from this weekend

From July 15, Parisians will be able to swim in the bassin de la Villette, an artificial lake attached to a canal in northern Paris. Entry to the three swimming spaces, one of them reserved for children, will be free and monitored at all times.

Officials expect around 1000 bathers per day during high season, with a maximum capacity of 300 at any one time.

It is the first natural water swimming space to be opened as part of the mayor’s ‘Nager à Paris’ initiative, and will cover a space of 1500 square metres.

The mayor’s office noted that there was a need to open more public swimming spaces to adapt to climatic adjustments. “We have reached one of our goals by opening the bassin de la Villette to swimmers”, the office said, adding that “while the quality of the Seine has improved recently, it has not yet reached the sufficient level for swimming”.

Every summer Paris-Plages turns the Seine embankment into a beach themed space, complete with sand and deck chairs. But one thing is missing – swimming is not allowed, and has been banned since 1923.

The opening of the bassin de la Villette space may be a stepping-stone to swimming once again in the Seine, something mayor Anne Hidalgo hinted at in the context of Paris’ bid to host the Olympics. “Parisians will be able to swim in the Seine after 2024, thanks to the Olympic games”, she said.

For more information about the bassin de la Villette, click here.