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Paris icon Moulin Rouge windmill turns again after accident – DW – 07/11/2025
Paris icon Moulin Rouge windmill turns again after accident – DW – 07/11/2025

DW

time10-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • DW

Paris icon Moulin Rouge windmill turns again after accident – DW – 07/11/2025

Hundreds gathered at the cabaret and tourist attraction in the French capital to see the famous windmill's sails start turning again over a year after they were knocked down during a storm. Hundreds of locals and tourists gathered Thursday night outside the famed Paris Moulin Rouge cabaret and nightclub to see its iconic windmill sails start turning again. The iconic, 12-metre (40-foot), red wings had been out of action since they were knocked down by high winds 14 months ago. The occasion was marked by 60 dancers performing the Moulin Rouge's signature can-can dance in the street next to Place Blanche in the Montmartre district of Paris. Fireworks were also set off from the roof of the club's, which claims to attract some 600,000 visitors each year. "The sails have always turned at the Moulin Rouge, so we had to restore this Parisian symbol to Paris, to France, and to the state it was in before," said Jean-Victor Clerico, the cabaret's managing director. The accident in April 2024 was blamed on a failure in the windmill's central axis. The blades collapsed overnight after the venue had closed. Nobody was injured in the incident. New aluminum blades were installed in time for the Paris Olympics last summer. But the wings have remained motionless because of delays with a new electric motor, which also powers the hundreds of light bulbs that illuminate the iconic landmark. The Moulin Rouge, French for "red windmill," was immortalized by 19th century French painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and later brought to modern audiences by Baz Luhrmann's eponymous 2001 film musical starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. Opened in 1889, the famous red windmill quickly became an emblem of Parisian nightlife during the Belle Époque (1871-1914). The cabaret house is one of the most visited attractions in the French capital, sharing its status as a world-famous landmark with the likes of the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Paris reopens River Seine to public swimmers for first time in 100 years
Paris reopens River Seine to public swimmers for first time in 100 years

Roya News

time06-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Roya News

Paris reopens River Seine to public swimmers for first time in 100 years

On Saturday, the River Seine welcomed back swimmers, marking the end of a 100‑year prohibition on bathing in its waters. Dozens of enthusiasts were among the first to dive in, celebrating what officials describe as one of the enduring legacies of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Three waterfront zones have been prepared for public use, one beside the Eiffel Tower, another near Notre Dame Cathedral, and a third in the city's eastern arrondissements. Each site features changing cabins, showers, and beach‑style seating, accommodating up to 300 visitors laying out towels on the banks. The swimming areas will remain open without charge through the end of August, operating at set hours for children aged 10 or older and teenagers from age 14, depending on the location. Certified lifeguards will patrol the waterways around the clock to ensure safety. The ban on swimming stretches back to 1923, when pollution levels in the Seine became a serious health hazard. A proposal to lift the prohibition first emerged in 1988 under then‑Mayor Jacques Chirac, but it took decades of water‑quality improvements to make the idea feasible. 'Until July's Olympics, the Seine had never been deemed safe enough for open‑water events,' noted an official from the city's water management authority. Ahead of the Games, France poured more than 1.4 billion euros (USD 1.6 billion) into upgrading the river's cleaning stations and reducing sewage overflows. 'Improvements over the last 20 years have already led to a sharp reduction in faecal bacteria entering the river,' the authority added. Despite these efforts, heavy rains in the lead‑up to the Olympics caused raw sewage to enter the water, and early testing showed contamination spikes. Athletes in triathlon, marathon swimming, and paratriathlon formats reported limited training opportunities on the Seine as a result. To reassure participants and the public, Mayor Anne Hidalgo and members of the Paris 2024 organizing committee waded into the river last July, declaring it safe. 'We are thrilled to open our shores to everyone,' said Hidalgo at the ribbon‑cutting ceremony. 'This moment celebrates both the revival of our river and the sustainable vision of the Olympic legacy.'

Parisians Enjoy Summer Breeze with Swimmable Seine for 1st Time in 100 years
Parisians Enjoy Summer Breeze with Swimmable Seine for 1st Time in 100 years

See - Sada Elbalad

time06-07-2025

  • Sport
  • See - Sada Elbalad

Parisians Enjoy Summer Breeze with Swimmable Seine for 1st Time in 100 years

Rana Atef In a historic move that marks a new era for the French capital, Parisians and tourists are once again able to swim in the River Seine — legally — for the first time since 1923. Following a €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) environmental overhaul, the once-polluted waterway has officially reopened to the public with the launch of three designated swimming sites along the city's iconic riverbanks. The sites, unveiled on Saturday as part of the annual 'Paris Plages' summer event, are located near the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and in the eastern Paris neighborhood of Bercy. Access is free and regulated by age limits and lifeguard supervision. This major development comes after decades of pollution rendered the Seine unfit for bathing. Swimming was banned in 1923 due to dangerous bacteria levels and navigational risks, with only rare exceptions. Now, thanks to a sweeping cleanup initiative launched in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the river has been transformed into a safe and scenic spot for open-water enjoyment. 'It's a symbolic moment — we're taking back our river,' said Lucile Woodward, a sports coach and wellness influencer who swam in the Seine alongside Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo before last year's Olympic Games. Woodward is among the participants in the first amateur open-water competition in the Seine, set for Sunday. 'Once people see hundreds of others swimming and enjoying themselves, they'll want to join in too.' The cleanup included a vast infrastructure investment: new disinfection units, a giant stormwater storage basin to prevent untreated waste from spilling into the river during rain, and mandatory sewer hookups for houseboats and riverside homes. The payoff? Olympic athletes were able to compete in triathlon and marathon swimming events in the Seine last summer — a powerful symbol of environmental recovery. Paris Deputy Mayor Pierre Rabadan assured the public that water quality is monitored daily and flags posted at each site will indicate conditions — green for good, red for unsafe due to bacteria or strong currents. 'We're in a natural environment, so weather variations do affect the quality,' he noted, adding that results have generally met European standards since June, with only minor interruptions caused by rainfall or boat traffic. Still, not everyone is convinced. Dan Angelescu, CEO of Fluidion, a company that independently tests water quality, remains skeptical. He argues that current testing methods may underreport harmful bacteria and that only a few days each summer truly meet high swimming standards. 'The science today does not fully support the optimistic assessments being used,' Angelescu warned. Public sentiment is mixed. While many are excited about the novelty of swimming in the Seine, some locals remain wary. 'I wouldn't say I'm scared,' said real estate agent Enys Mahdjoub. 'Just a little disgusted — it's the thought of the water being dirty.' Nonetheless, the return of swimming to the Seine has sparked joy among many Parisians. 'It's a dream come true,' said Clea Montanari, a local project manager. 'Maybe one day we'll even be able to drink from the river. For now, just being able to swim in it is incredible.' Swimming in the Seine may still come with caveats — limited hours, age restrictions, and potential closures after heavy rain — but after more than a century, Paris has reopened one of its greatest natural assets. And in doing so, the city is making waves not just in recreation, but in sustainable urban renewal. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean

Paris' Seine river opens to public swimming for first time in 100 years
Paris' Seine river opens to public swimming for first time in 100 years

UPI

time05-07-2025

  • Sport
  • UPI

Paris' Seine river opens to public swimming for first time in 100 years

1 of 6 | Paris officials spent $1.6 billion to clean up the Seine in time for last year's 2024 Olympics, but despite the cash infusion, some races had to be postponed because of water quality issues. File Photo by Paul Hanna/UPI | License Photo July 5 (UPI) -- The famed Seine river in Paris opened to the public for swimming on Saturday for the first time in over a 100 years, a key victory for outgoing mayor Anne Hidalgo. The waterway was last swimmable in 1923, with a ban in place since that year because high levels of bacteria made it unsafe for people. City officials spent $1.6 billion to clean up the river in time for last year's 2024 Olympic Games. Despite the cash infusion, some races had to be postponed because of water quality issues. In a show of confidence, Hidalgo herself famously took to the water ahead of the Olympics for a swim to prove the river was swimmable. "Swimming in the Seine, some have dreamed of it, many have doubted it, and we have done it," she said on Facebook at the time. "After a 100-year ban, athletes will take their turn in a few days during the Games! It will be next summer for Parisians." Hidalgo's prediction came true on a seasonal basis. Three designated swimming areas opened Saturday morning, each with lounging areas, outdoor furniture, showers and changing facilities, while lifeguards patrol the river. One of the swimming areas is not far from the Eiffel Tower, while a second is close to the Notre Dame Cathedral, which re-opened last year after a devastating fire. The third is in the eastern part of Paris. The mayor, who was elected in 2014 and will leave office next year after a failed bid at the presidency, has spent her time in office pushing green initiatives in the city. Water quality in the Seine has gradually improved over the last 20 years. At its lowest point, people swimming in the river would get sick because of the high bacteria count. Plans to re-open the Seine to public swimming have been circulating since former French President and then-Paris Mayor Jacques René Chirac campaigned on the promise in 1988. A planned race across the city was canceled in 2012 because the water was "manifestly insufficient quality for swimming."

Want to take a dip in Paris? River Seine reopens to public swimming for first time in a century
Want to take a dip in Paris? River Seine reopens to public swimming for first time in a century

Toronto Star

time04-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Toronto Star

Want to take a dip in Paris? River Seine reopens to public swimming for first time in a century

PARIS (AP) — For the first time in over a century, Parisians and tourists will be able to take a refreshing dip in the River Seine. The long-polluted waterway is finally opening up as a summertime swim spot following a 1.4 billion euro ($1.5 billion) cleanup project that made it suitable for Olympic competitions last year. Three new swimming sites on the Paris riverbank will open on Saturday — one close to Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral, another near the Eiffel Tower and a third in eastern Paris.

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