Gay Cruising and Heatwave Transform Paris Canal Saint-Martin

Amidst an unprecedented heatwave in Paris, the Canal Saint-Martin has emerged as an unofficial swimming venue for gay men, merging cruising traditions with a degree of municipal acceptance. For the first time ever, swimming has been permitted in the canal during the festival season due to the extreme heat. Originally established by Napoleon I in 1802 to link the Canal de l'Ourcq with the Seine, the canal now serves as a backdrop for a collective fantasy, as swimmers overlook the contaminated waters filled with debris and sewage. Photographer José Cuevas captures the vibrant scene, featuring daring individuals diving from bridges despite barriers set up by the city. While locals caution about shopping carts and discarded bicycles lurking below the murky surface, the canal is collectively embraced as a swimming pool, allowing residents to momentarily forget the oppressive heat.