Paris opens river Seine for public swimming after 100-year ban

For the first time in more than a hundred years, members of the public have been allowed to swim in the river Seine in Paris.

Weather permitting, locals and visitors can dive in at three bathing sites, including one located close to the Eiffel Tower.

Zones have changing rooms, showers and even beach-style furniture to use.

Dozens of people arrived early on Saturday morning to paddle, following a clean-up brought on by last year's Summer Olympics.

River Seine: What's happened?

For more than 100 years swimming was banned in the river because of the levels of water pollution that could make people unwell.

However, ahead of last summer's Olympic Games, more than £1.2bn was invested into cleaning up the Seine.

Officials say that they have taken several measures to make sure swimmers can safely enjoy the long-awaited reopening, including daily water pollution testing and lifeguards at each site.

Flags will inform bathers about pollution levels in the water every day, and if it rains, the sites will likely close the following day, they added.

There are three areas that have been set up for public swimming in the Seine - one near the Eiffel Tower, another close to Notre Dame Cathedral and a third in eastern Paris.

The swimming zones feature changing rooms, showers, and beach furniture, with space for up to 300 people to lay out towels and relax from the city's hustle and bustle.

Until the end of August, all three sites will be open for free to anyone with a minimum age of 10 or 14 years, depending on the location.