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The Seine used to be a toxic mess. Now it’s the hottest new swim spot in Paris
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 4, 2026
· 6 min read
By Camille Knight, CNN
Paris (CNN) — If you’re visiting Paris this summer, you may want to add swimming in the Seine to your itinerary. And after the heat this city has seen in the past few weeks, you may absolutely need to.
Paris just experienced its hottest day on record, with temperatures ...
Key takeaway For American visitors, there may be no more quintessentially Parisian way to celebrate the 4th of July than a dip in the Seine.
Why this matters in The El Paso
As El Pasoans swelter through their own summer heatwaves, the revival of swimming in the Seine River offers a fascinating parallel. While the Rio Grande, which forms the border between El Paso and Mexico, is not currently a designated swim spot, the story of the Seine's transformation from a polluted waterway to a popular swimming destination holds lessons for local efforts to improve the Rio Grande's water quality and accessibility. El Paso's own history of river recreation, though different from Paris', includes a legacy of unauthorized swimming and calls for safer, more sustainable access to the Rio Grande. As city officials and community groups work to enhance the Rio Grande's recreational and environmental value, the example of the Seine's rebirth as a swim spot may inspire new approaches to balancing public safety, environmental protection, and community enjoyment of El Paso's own river.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Camille Knight, CNN
Paris (CNN) — If you’re visiting Paris this summer, you may want to add swimming in the Seine to your itinerary. And after the heat this city has seen in the past few weeks, you may absolutely need to.
Paris just experienced its hottest day on record, with temperatures ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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