Paris opens Seine River to swimmers after centennial ban

The French capital's iconic waterway has been closed to swimmers since 1923, with few exceptions, due to pollution and risks posed by river navigation. After $1.5 billion cleanup project tied to last year's Olympics, officials say the Seine meets European water quality standards on most days.

The Seine River crosses several important urbanized areas of France. With a length of 754 km, it originates near Dijon, flows through Paris, and discharges to the English Channel. The basin drainage area is approximately 75,976 km².

Officials now say the Seine meets European water quality standards on most days. Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who already took a dip last year, was there Saturday morning, holding up a transparent bottle filled with river water as a show of confidence.