The Prefecture of the Île-de-France region convened its partners on November 3rd to assess the 2026 swimming season and plan future actions. Nearly 260,000 swimmers enjoyed natural sites in Île-de-France, confirming the utility of these areas in adapting to climate change.
Parisian sites (Bercy, bras de Grenelle, bras Marie) welcomed 116,000 people, a 20% increase from 2025. On the Marne, five sites recorded over 85,000 visitors, with a new site opening in Neuilly-sur-Marne. The canals (Bassin de la Villette, canal Saint-Martin, canal de l’Ourcq) attracted 64,000 swimmers.
Swimmer safety was enhanced, with a €68 fine for swimming in unauthorized areas since August 2, 2026. Water quality was monitored by the Regional Health Agency (ARS), allowing for preventive closures in case of pollution.
Since 2016, nearly €1.3 billion has been invested to improve the water quality of the region's rivers, notably through modernizing sanitation networks and correcting misconnections. These efforts contribute to the ecological recovery of the Seine and Marne.
A new project of similar scale to the upstream works will be undertaken downstream. The goal is to improve the sanitation of stationary boats to open new swimming sites by 2030 and continue enhancing the Seine's ecological quality.
