Théo (who preferred not to provide his last name), a Frenchman who moved to Paris a year ago for a tech job, found it thrilling to swim in such a setting: “I’ve walked and cycled along the Seine many times, but this was a unique opportunity to swim surrounded by beautiful architecture I’ve always seen from a different angle.” He compared the feeling to urban swimming in Copenhagen and Zurich. “Although the pristine waters of Lake Zurich, these were not!”

Despite lingering concerns about historical contamination from industrial runoff and sewage overflow (issues that plagued the Seine for decades), strict safety protocols have reassured most swimmers. For example, all must wear yellow lifebuoys around their waists, not only for visibility but to prevent drowning in case of fatigue or a cramp. Additionally, daily bacterial monitoring has proven effective in keeping swimmers safe: This week, the three official swimming sites were closed due to heavy rains; significant rainfall can overwhelm stormwater systems, leading to spikes in bacteria levels, including E. coli and enterococci.

“What I’d love is to swim for more than just these two months,” says nutritionist Ariane Grumbach, who has done leisurely laps in the Seine several times. For now, the experience is limited to July and August, the driest and warmest months when water quality remains most stable. More than 50,000 swimmers have participated in the experience since the sites’ openings on July 5, with no reported health issues. City officials view this as a crucial pilot phase before expanding access more broadly in 2026. If all goes well, this brief summer season could mark the beginning of a beloved new Parisian ritual.

How to go swimming in the Seine in Paris

Want to have your own Seine swim? Read on for how to go swimming in the Seine, and which of the three official sites is best for you. And a reminder: Though swim caps are usually required in municipal pools, they are not obligatory in the Seine—all you need is a proper swimsuit. For more information, visit Paris.fr.

Bras-Marie

Swimming hours: 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday; 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday

Right off the Sully – Morland stop on the Paris Metro, this is the smallest of the three sites and can welcome 150 swimmers at a time. Swimming hours are shorter during the week due to tourist boat traffic. There are no changing cabins available at this location (but there are restrooms), so swimmers should plan to come suited up. Children must be at least 14 years old to swim at this location.

Bercy

Swimming hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

This is the largest of the three sites, accommodating 700 people simultaneously (300 in the water), and located near the Metro’s Bercy stop. There are actually two bathing areas here, separated by a lateral protection to allow swimmers and boats. Restrooms, changing cabins, and showers are available. Children aged 10 and up who know how to swim are permitted.

Bras de Grenelle

Swimming hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily

This is the only site of the three with a secure pool for children and families (40 to 60 centimeters—about 14 to 24 inches—deep), which can accommodate 200 people at a time. Children must be 14+ years old to swim in the bottomless area; children 3+ years old accompanied by a parent in the secure pool. Get there via the Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel stop on the Metro.

Tracee Ellis Ross is a seasoned solo traveler. The 52-year-old actor has been traveling by herself since she was 25. And now, she’s sharing the many lessons learned from her trips over the years.

In Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross, which premieres on July 25, audiences will follow her on solo adventures to Morocco, Mexico, and Spain.

“Something clicked. I’m responsible for my own happiness,” Tracee explained in an exclusive clip from the show. “So much of what solo traveling is, is about not waiting for something in order to experience my life.”

When it comes to packing, Tracee has her go-to essentials. “There’s always one bathing suit, a flip flop, and a little dress I can roll up,” Tracee told Travel + Leisure about her packing essentials. “And there’s always two undies.”

Why just two? She explained that she washes her delicates in hotel sinks using shower gels. “If I’m gone for a month on this trip, you can’t pack a month’s worth of underwear,” she said.  “How do you do that? They take up a lot of space.”

After her comment circulated online, Tracee clarified her system: “I pack two pairs in my carry-on…in case my luggage doesn’t make it,” she wrote to her 11.3 million Instagram followers. “This is hilarious.”

The Black-ish actress and daughter of music icon Diana Ross, grew up traveling with her mom for work and even living in places like Paris and Switzerland. Those experiences shaped her approach to travel.

“[I] really learned how to find home inside myself,” Tracee told Travel + Leisure. “[Travel] allowed me to see the similarities between human beings no matter where we are.”

In a recent Instagram post, Tracee showed the realities of traveling – sitting on luggage to make sure all her clothes fit and lounging in hotel pools. She captioned the post: “I hope [Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross] reminds all of us that we can live our lives courageously on our own terms and be our best selves, by ourselves, out in the world.”

Tracee says that traveling solo “means I can do what I want when I want.”

Her advice for anyone curious about traveling solo? “Start by going to dinner by yourself on a Friday night. See if you can do that. And you might not be a person who can do that. You might say, ‘I’m not doing that ever again.’ Then you’re not somebody who can go on vacation by yourself.”

As for Tracee, she will continue solo traveling.

“My life is really busy,” she told Savannah Guthrie and Willie Geist on TODAY with Jenna & Friends. “I go away by myself to decompress and enjoy the luxury of being.”