Lyon plans to establish river swimming spots in the Rhône and Saône waterways.
Lyon's eco-friendly council members dropped a splash of excitement on May 6th with an intriguing promise – by the summer of 2027, swimming enthusiasts can dive into the cool waters of the Saône right in the heart of Lyon! This announcement follows Paris' lead, where swimmable sites on the Seine will debut this summer.
Bruno Bernard, the president of France's second-largest metropolitan area, and Gregory Doucet, the mayor of Lyon, plan to create a swimming spot in the Saône by 2027. They've identified 20 potential bathing sites in the Rhône and Saône rivers, with 14 located on the Rhône and the rest on the Saône. These sites stretch over approximately 80 kilometers, from Givors in the south to Neuville-sur-Saône in the north.
Studies conducted by the metropolitan area of Lyon, within a framework for riverbank uses, scrutinized criteria like water quality, accessibility, safety, current strengths, and bathymetry (depth of banks) to determine suitable spots for public bathing. These projects aim to provide bathers with satisfactory hygiene and safety conditions.
Keep an eye on future announcements for official opening dates and locations. For now, it looks like 2025 won't see the debut of these natural swimming spots. [1]
In 2025, authorities in Lyon are juggling the idea of opening designated swimming spots along the Saône River within the city's metropolitan area. The total of 21 potential sites under review include locations in Lyon proper, Val de Saône, Villeurbanne-Rhône Amont, and Rhône Aval. Notable locations under consideration are around Albigny-sur-Saône, Rochetaillée, Neuville-sur-Saône, Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or, and Caluire-et-Cuire. While these spots are being studied and prepared, specific official opening dates for 2025 have yet to be revealed as of late April 2025. [1] It seems swimming in the Rhône River is currently off the table, but the Saône will certainly quench the thirst of eager swimmers in Lyon. Municipalities are addressing the demand for more space by venturing into natural sites, but official announcements will provide the exact details for opening days and locations. [1]
- Gregory Doucet, the mayor of Lyon, and Bruno Bernard, the president of France's second-largest metropolitan area, aim to introduce outdoor-living opportunities by creating a swimming spot in the Saône by 2027.
- To determine suitable spots for public bathing, studies are being conducted considering factors such as water quality, accessibility, safety, current strengths, and bathymetry (depth of banks).
- By 2025, authorities in Lyon are considering opening designated swimming spots along the Saône River, but specific official opening dates have yet to be revealed as of late April 2025.
- municipalities are planning to address the demand for more space by venturing into natural sites like the Saône River, ensuring compatibility with a lifestyle that promotes eco-friendly home-and-garden practices and outdoor-living experiences.
