5 fantastic spots for a swim in Paris right now

The Seine, possibly the most romantic river in the world, is enhancing its legendary charm with the revival of a classic pastime: public swimming.

Beginning in 2025, both residents and tourists will be able to swim and sunbathe at three locations along the river. However, you might be surprised to learn that there are already several outdoor pools in the city where you can cool off from the heat right now. Some even offer views of the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

In recent years, officials have made tremendous efforts to clean the river ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games, which will feature open-water swims, triathlon, and paratriathlon events in the Seine. After the games, starting in 2025, the city will unveil its first three public swimming sites at Bras Marie, Bras de Grenelle, and Bercy.

This won’t be the first time the river has hosted Olympic events. During the first summer games in 1900, swimming competitions were held on the Seine, albeit just outside the city limits, between the Asnières and Courbevoie bridges. More than a century later, the starting line will be set beneath the stunning and iconic Pont Alexandre III, right in the city center.

The €1.4 billion renovation isn’t merely a temporary measure for the Olympics. This cleanup is designed for long-term benefits, enabling Parisians to reclaim a waterway that served as a popular swimming spot in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Although swimming was officially banned in 1923, locals continued to take secret dips until the 1960s when declining water quality made swimming unwise, if not impossible.

The Seine's transformation is also part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s strategy to combat climate change. Last year, temperatures in Paris exceeded 40ºC (104ºF), and by 2050, the city might experience temperatures as high as 50ºC. A study released this spring in The Lancet highlighted that among major European capitals, Paris faces the highest mortality risk from heat waves due to various factors, including urban heat islands and air pollution. Unlike in North America, where air conditioning is prevalent, it remains relatively uncommon in Parisian private apartments and is limited in public buildings and metro lines. The greening of public spaces, along with the establishment of free outdoor bathing areas, is a strategy to counteract severe urban heat in the French capital.

In the meantime, there’s no need to wait until 2025 for a refreshing swim between your visit to the Louvre and dinner at a new bistro. That's why we recommend spicing up your summer Paris itinerary with a dip in one of the many existing outdoor swimming spots scattered throughout the city.

Here are five compelling reasons to bring your maillot de bain for a summer trip to Paris.

1. Experience one of the most stunning pools in Paris at Butte-aux-Cailles.

As one of the most beautiful and historic public pools in Paris, established in 1924, the Butte-aux-Cailles is recognized as a historic monument due to its remarkable Art Nouveau architecture. The striking red-brick façade contrasts with its spacious, well-lit interior, featuring a cathedral-like ambiance where swimmers lap beneath vaulted ceilings and graceful arches. In addition to two indoor pools (one for adults and another for children), it was the first to offer an outdoor Nordic pool heated to 28ºC (82ºF) by repurposing heat from computer servers located below. The outdoor pool remains open year-round.

Local tip: Plan a full day for your visit and discover the neighborhood that shares the pool’s name, a charming area in the 13th arrondissement filled with artisans, winding cobblestone streets, captivating street art, cozy bars, and vibrant cafés.

2. Enjoy a swim in the nude at Roger Le Gall pool.

Named after a hero of the French Resistance from WWII, the Roger Le Gall pool is situated in the eastern 12th arrondissement of the city. The facility boasts two swimming areas: an Olympic-sized pool available to the public for dedicated swimmers looking to get some laps in, and a smaller pool designated for sports clubs. In the summer, the canopy over the larger pool is taken off, providing an outdoor swimming experience. Additionally, in collaboration with the Paris Naturist Association, the pool opens every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening for those who prefer to swim without a swimsuit.

3. Swim nearly in the Seine at the floating Josephine Baker pool.

In the summer, the Josephine Baker pool in the 13th arrondissement (named after the iconic American-born dancer and singer) removes its glass canopy, transforming into a floating, open-air pool on the Seine with breathtaking views of the river. Looking to fit in a workout? The pool features four lanes, each 25 meters (82 feet) long, with depths ranging from 0.9 to 2.1 meters (3 to 7 feet). If you prefer lounging over laps, enjoy the spacious 500 square meters (5,400 square feet) sundeck, perfect for relaxing on a chaise and soaking up some sunshine.

4. Swim with the locals at Bassin de la Villette (but not this year).

Since 2017, as part of the annual Paris Plages (Paris Beaches) festival, the Bassin de la Villette in northeast Paris has offered a free outdoor swimming area in the city’s largest artificial body of water. The pool features three distinct sections: a paddling pool for children, a smaller pool with a maximum depth of 1.2 meters (4 feet), and a larger pool for experienced swimmers that reaches a depth of 2.1 meters (7 feet). Water quality is checked daily, the pool is wheelchair accessible, and it accommodates only 500 bathers each day. While the Seine's Paris Plages is the highlight, the programming at the Villette location attracts more locals than tourists due to its distance from the city center. Additional activities available include kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding.

Please note that due to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Paris Plages program is temporarily suspended, with plans to return in the summer of 2025.

Local tip: A popular water activity at Bassin de la Villette is renting electric boats from Marin d’Eau Douce for a leisurely cruise along the canal. No license is required, and you’re welcome to bring a picnic lunch or dinner on board.

5. Treat yourself to a day pass at the luxurious Hôtel Molitor Paris.

This stunning pool, unlike public outdoor swimming spots, is situated in a luxury hotel and is typically reserved for hotel guests or members of a private club, who pay around €4,500 in annual dues. However, the outdoor pool at Hôtel Molitor Paris – MGallery in the upscale 16th arrondissement deserves special mention for a significant reason: it was here, during a swimsuit competition in 1946, that Louis Réard, a former automotive engineer turned fashion designer, unveiled a groundbreaking, ultra-minimalist two-piece bathing suit, which one clever observer dubbed “smaller than the smallest swimsuit in the world.”

You might recognize it today as the bikini.

Although typically off-limits to the public, the pool offers day passes in the summer, granting access to its expansive Art Deco-style pools, rooftop restaurant and bar, hammam, sauna, and fitness facilities. Be prepared for a splurge, as day passes for one of the city’s most exclusive open-air pools begin at €310.