STORY: Parisians and tourists swam in the Seine river with a view of the Eiffel Tower on Saturday (July 4) as three spots along the waterway opened up for public bathing a week after a record-breaking heatwave.

"We love swimming and we love Paris so this is the perfect combination", said Dutch lawyer Marnix Mol, 50, who was visiting with his family.

It "would have been really great" if the Seine had already been open for swimming during the heatwave, Paris resident Clement Rubin said as he chatted with his friends Alban and Armance, adding that he planned to come back throughout the summer to cool down.

Temperatures are set to rise in Paris from Monday (July 6), with forecaster Meteo France predicting a high of 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit).

"It is hot in the apartments, it is hot in the bars, so it is certain that a swim like that, it is really great", Paris resident Irina Rakotomanga said.

Paris city hall officially opened the Seine for public swimming in 2025, following a hiatus of more than a century. It will continue through to the end of August.

Daily water quality tests will be taken to ensure public safety, with sites closing if they do not meet the criteria, Paris' city hall said on its website.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (JULY 4, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. PEOPLE STANDING ON PONTOON AT SWIMMING SPOT, ONE OF THREE ALONG THE SEINE RIVER, WITH EIFFEL TOWER IN BACKGROUND

2. GROUP OF PEOPLE SWIMMING IN WATER

3. PEOPLE SWIMMING, EIFFEL TOWER IN BACKGROUND

4. WOMAN GETTING INTO WATER AND STARTING TO SWIM

5. PEOPLE SITTING BY WATER, EIFFEL TOWER IN BACKGROUND

6. MAN FLOATING IN WATER

7. PEOPLE SWIMMING

8. LAWYER FROM THE NETHERLANDS, MARNIX MOL, 50, AND HIS FAMILY POSING FOR PHOTO

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LAWYER FROM THE NETHERLANDS, MARNIX MOL, 50, SAYING:

"We love swimming and we love Paris so this is the perfect combination especially with young kids and the water is the perfect temperature, and nice views. So yeah, it's really a marvellous place to do so. It started today, we were lucky."

10. PEOPLE LYING ON WOODEN PLATFORM IN SUN

11. WOMAN SWIMMING AND WAVING

12. PEOPLE STANDING ON STEPS TO ENTER RIVER

13. PEOPLE SWIMMING RIVER

14. BOY JUMPING IN RIVER, EIFFEL TOWER IN BACKGROUND

15. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARIS RESIDENT, CLEMENT RUBIN, SAYING:

"Yeah, if it had been open a week ago (during the heatwave) that would have been really great. Now, I think we’re going to go there from time to time, even during the week, it’s going to allow us to refresh ourselves a bit. I hope it’s open a bit later in the evening. I don’t know until what time it’s open?"

PARIS RESIDENT, ALBAN HAUSEUX: "I think it closes early, 5 p.m. in the evening."

16. RUBIN, HAUSEUX AND THEIR FRIEND ARMANCE PERROT IN WATER

17. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARIS RESIDENT, CLEMENT RUBIN, SAYING (RESPONDING TO WHAT IS BEING DONE TO HELP PEOPLE IN PARIS COPE WITH HEAT):

"A little bit more water. It’s true that it could be not bad, maybe more protection also to be able to go more outside."

PERROT: "They're making areas like this."

"Yeah, spots like that, in greater number, that could be not too too bad. They have already opened the canal. The canal was still a very good idea. That let people go cool down a little bit last weekend, but if there were more of them, it would be welcome I think."

18. PEOPLE SWIMMING IN WATER

19. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SWIMMING IN BATHING AREA, SEEN FROM A DISTANCE

20. (SOUNDBITE) (English) HR WORKER FROM THE NETHERLANDS, STEFANO VAN DAM, 28, AND ARCHITECT, DANIELA ROVIARO, 28, SAYING:

VAN DAM: "And then one of her friends told us about this place, and I think it's quite unique to swim somewhere where you can see the Eiffel Tower as well, so we were like 'let's go'."

ROVIARO: "The water is very nice, the weather is also really cool, so it's not too hot. And it's perfect to get a swim."

21. (SOUNDBITE) (French) PARIS RESIDENT, IRINA RAKOTOMANGA, SAYING:

"Yes, it is an excellent idea. Besides, the water it is at 24 degrees Celsius (75.2 Fahrenheit) and it is true that well, it is hot in the apartments, it is hot in the bars, so it is certain that a swim like that, it is really great."

22. PEOPLE LYING BESIDE RIVER

23. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SWIMMING IN RIVER