Swim in the Seine for free this summer in Paris: Three Great Spots to Check Out Before Everyone Else Does
This summer in Paris, it’s never been easier to take a dip. Whether you’re a visitor passing through or a Parisian looking to cool off, swimming in Paris is now possible at a variety of spots—some free, others unique. From the banks of the Seine to the water sports centers across Greater Paris, the options are more plentiful than you might imagine.
Swimming in the Seine and the capital’s bodies of water
Since 2002, Paris Plages has been the go-to event for urban swimming enthusiasts, and this year it will take place from July 4 to August 30, 2026. This edition marks a historic milestone: for the first time in a century, and as part of the legacy of the Paris 2024 Games, visitors can swim in the Seine at three specially designated natural areas— all completely free of charge.
These three locations welcome swimmers right in the heart of the city. At Pont Louis-Philippe, a supervised pool with outdoor showers and a lifeguard station awaits visitors across from Île Saint-Louis. The Bercy site, under the Simone-de-Beauvoir footbridge, features two pools and a sun deck that can accommodate 700 people. At Grenelle, in the 15th arrondissement, a family-friendly area with a depth of 40 to 60 cm allows swimmers to enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower.
In addition, the Bassin de la Villette offers several areas suitable for all ages, water activities, pétanque courts, a trampoline, and a zip line. The Canal Saint-Martin also opens its waters on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 116 Quai de Jemmapes in the 10th arrondissement. Starting June 17, 2026, in the eventof a heat wave, swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin will also be permitted from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
“Water quality is checked daily by the City of Paris to ensure safe swimming.”
Parisian sports centers with outdoor pools
Other summer swimming pools are open all summer long at sports centers throughout the capital: Just Fontaine, Jules Noël, Georges Carpentier, Léo Lagrange, Louis Lumière, and Poissonniers. So even without heading to the banks of the Seine, it’s still easy to find a place to cool off.
All of these sites are supervised by lifeguards, and first-aid stations are set up on site. Outside these supervised areas, swimming in the Seine remains strictly prohibited and can be dangerous.
Outdoor Pools and Unique Places to Swim in Paris
Summer is also a time when some Parisian swimming pools open their doors to the public. Thanks to their retractable roofs, several of them let you enjoy both swimming laps and sunbathing. Swimmers and history buffs alike will appreciate the Butte-aux-Cailles pool (13th arrondissement), designated a historic monument for its Art Deco design. The Georges Vallerey pool (20th arrondissement), meanwhile, boasts legendary waters: it was here that American swimmer Johnny Weissmuler won his first Olympic titles in 1924.
Other must-see classics include the Aquaboulevard water park and the Joséphine Baker swimming pool, located on a barge overlooking the banks of the Seine in the 13th arrondissement. From the Auteuil pools in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne to the Hébert and Georges Hermant swimming pools
