CARTE – Swimming in the Seine becomes a reality this Saturday with the opening of three sites: Bercy, Grenelle and Le Bras Marie. Instructions before stinging a head in the Paris river.
«I will swim in the Seine before witnesses to prove that it has become clean again“: This emblematic declaration by Jacques Chirac, launched in November 1988 during his campaign for the Paris town hall, had remained a dead letter. Four decades later, the promise is about to come true. Carried by the momentum of the Olympic Games, the ambitious project for the reopening of swimming in the Seine is finally born this Saturday. Until August 31, if and only if the sanitary conditions allow, Parisians and visitors will be able to bathe in three sites fitted out in the heart of the capital: at the Arm Marie, opposite the Saint-Louis Island; in Bercy, near the National Library of France; And in Grenelle, facing the swan island, a few steps from the Eiffel Tower.
Daily health checks
Green, yellow or red flag: future swimmers will know daily if the Seine is specific to swimming. Water, weather conditions and river infrastructure will be scrutinized every day. In connection with the State and the Regional Health Agency (ARS), the surveillance system is based on two major microbiological indicators: the level of concentration of Escherichia coli bacteria and intestinal enterococci. These are detected from samples analyzed by the Paris water laboratory. In addition to these analyzes, an automated device – already used during the Olympic and Paralympic Games – will also be activated. It makes it possible to detect the presence of bacteria in just 15 to 20 minutes, against 24 to 48 hours for a classic analysis.
Pass advertising
The results must be made public by the town hall of Paris on its website even if, for the moment, only the analyzes dating from the Olympic and paralympic games of last year are displayed. Three factors influence water quality: the sun promotes the natural elimination of bacteria, water temperature accelerates their destruction or consumption by other aquatic organisms and rain, conversely, can temporarily degrade water quality by providing wastewater or contaminated runoff.
Free but regulated access
If swimming is “free and wide open to the public“, According to the town hall of Paris, it will not be accessible without conditions. You will have to be at least 14 years old, measure at least 1.40 meters and know how to swim. A first launching, supervised by the surveillance teams, will make it possible to verify compliance with these criteria.
Wearing a safety buoy will remain compulsory, and at least three supervisors will be permanently present on each site. The Seine presents an average depth of 3.50 meters in the Bassins fitted out of Bercy and the Marie arm, which do not have an artificial background. On the other hand, the Grenelle site will also offer a family paddling pool, with a depth of 40 to 60 centimeters, accessible from the age of 3, under the supervision of an adult.
