New swimming spot on Paris canal reopens after closure due to pollution

Higher than normal levels of enterocci sparked bathing ban at Canal de l'Ourcq structure that drew queues of Parisians trying to beat the heat

A new public swimming area on Paris's Canal de l'Ourcq has reopened after it was temporarily closed due to higher than normal bacteria levels following weekend rains.

The floating structure that has been put in place for the summer has allowed Parisians to legally swim in the canal at La Villette for the first time in decades. It proved very popular when it opened this month and was hailed by the Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo, as the beginning of a "dream" to launch open swimming areas in other city waterways, including on the river Seine in 2024 if Paris succeeds in its bid to host the Olympics that year.