Everything You Need to Know About Swimming in the Seine and in Paris

Where and when can you go swimming?

Swimming areas are open daily from July 4 to August 30, 2026, provided that safety conditions are met: moderate currents, good water quality—tested daily by the City—and favorable weather. In the event of an exceptional closure of the sites, visitors will be informed either by checking directly on-site or on Paris.fr. No reservation is required for access.

• On the Arm of the Marie (Paris Center), between the Louis-Philippe Bridge and the Marie Bridge, across from Île Saint-Louis: enjoy the immediate proximity to Paris Plages and its activities.
  > Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• On the banks of the Grenelle ( ^{15th arrondissement}): take a dip across from Île aux Cygnes with the Eiffel Tower (^{7th arrondissement}) watching over you! The body of water now covers an area equivalent to that of an Olympic-sized pool.
  > Open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Saturdays; from 10 a.m. to noon, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., and from 2:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays.

• In Bercy (^{12th arrondissement}), across from the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF): enjoy the two pools that will welcome swimmers every day of the week, beneath the Simone-de-Beauvoir footbridge.
  > Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.

Who can go swimming?

No matter your age, it is essential to know how to swim. Swimming is permitted for anyone 1.20 m or taller, and children under 14 must be supervised by an adult. All swimming areas are accessible to people with limited mobility, except for Bercy, where only the solarium is accessible.

Access to swimming is permitted provided that swimmers meet a minimum swimming proficiency level and wear a life jacket—which is provided on loan and must be returned in good condition. Entry into the water, supervised by lifeguards and beach attendants, ensures that these two conditions are met.

There will be no ID checks, but height may be measured. The reception staff will control access.

Are swimming areas designed to accommodate people with limited mobility, visual impairments, or psychological, mental, or cognitive disabilities?

All swimming areas are accessible to people with limited mobility, except for Bercy, where only the sunbathing area is accessible (the water is not). At the Grenelle and Bras Marie swimming areas, transfer chairs are available to access the swimming area from the dock, and a hoist is installed to assist with entering the water.

All swimming areas are accessible to people with visual impairments. A pathway from public transportation stops has been provided. Appropriate signage with easily identifiable and understandable signs has been installed along the path to the swimming areas.

All swimming areas are accessible to people with psychological, mental, or cognitive disabilities. A team of staff members trained to assist people with disabilities is available to assist visitors.

For people with invisible disabilities, sunflower bracelets and necklaces are also available to those who wish to wear them, with the goal of alerting emergency and hospitality staff so that they can tailor their assistance to the specific needs of each individual.

Are there any water quality tests?

The user enters the facility, changes clothes, and is then asked to enter the water in a designated area of the pool. A lifeguard is on duty and assesses the person’s swimming ability. Once approval is granted, the person is allowed to swim on their own.

How many people can swim at the same time?

To ensure that everyone enjoys the best possible experience, the sites have a limited capacity for simultaneous visitors. The largest site is Bercy, which can accommodate 600 people, including 300 in the swimming area. Next is the Grenelle site, which can accommodate 200 people, including 150 in the swimming area, followed by the Bras Marie site, which can accommodate 150 people.

Are there lifeguards on duty?

All swimming areas are continuously monitored by lifeguards during opening hours. Please note: river traffic is suspended during swimming hours, with the exception of the Bercy site, where the two pools are protected on the sides and therefore allow for shared use with boats. This allows swimmers to enjoy a natural and safe environment, with buoys marking the boundaries of the swimming area.

The City of Paris has delegated to the French Swimming Federation the supervision of swimming activities, in partnership with the operator BOAZ Concept (site security, adherence to schedules, visitor services, and logistics). About fifteen trained and experienced lifeguards ensure a supervised swimming experience in a natural setting. They are responsible for observing and monitoring swimmers in the water.

There will be at least:

• 5 lifeguards at Bercy;

• 3 lifeguards with Marie;

• 4 lifeguards at the Grenelle beach.

Do you have to wear special clothing to go swimming?

Swimwear is required, but unlike at the pool, you don't need to wear a swim cap.

Can we change clothes there?

Lockers are available at the Grenelle and Bercy locations. As for the Bras Marie location, visitors are asked to come directly in their swimwear; there are no private changing rooms.

Secure lockers are also available at all three locations. You must have a token or a one-euro coin to use one.

Are there any showers?

Yes! Every swimming area has showers—which you must use before going in the water—as well as restrooms, a lifeguard station, and places to sit and enjoy the sun.

Is there any information about swimming conditions?

Flags indicate, in real time, the conditions for access to swimming areas; here is what they mean:

• green flag: swimming is supervised, with no apparent danger;
• Yellow flag: Swimming is supervised; due to limited or marked hazards, caution is therefore advised (water quality, changing weather, high current, etc.);
• Red flag: Swimming is prohibited due to a confirmed danger (storm, strong current, incident, etc.);
• Flag down: Swimming is prohibited because the site is closed and unsupervised.

At the Bercy site only, the solarium may remain open even if the lake is inaccessible. This information will also be available on the dedicated page of the City of Paris’s website.

What precautions should you take before going for a swim?

It is recommended that you wash with soap in the shower before and after entering the water. Swimming in whitewater in a natural setting is prohibited if you have any wounds, cuts, scrapes, or skin irritation. It is best to wait until the wound has completely healed before swimming to avoid any risk of infection.

If you notice a minor wound after swimming, we recommend that you go to the first-aid station so that it can be cleaned properly. There is a first-aid station at each location to answer your questions. If you experience any symptoms after swimming (e.g., fever, muscle aches, nausea, headaches), consult a doctor.