2023-06-04 08:35:33
As warm weather flows into France, taking a dip is becoming more and more appealing. If you’re wondering where to go this summer, look no further than the comprehensive guide: “Swimming in Paris: Guide to Parisian swimming pools” by authors Colombe and Marine Schneck.
Together, they tested all of Paris’ 42 pools, rating them on criteria such as: the length, width and depth of the pool, number of swimming lanes, the water temperature, presence of a sunroof, access to outdoor space, cleanliness, disability access, locker rooms, and showers.
They also took note of the architectural history of the buildings, as many fall into beautiful 1920s art deco style.
READ MORE: 27 festivals and events to enjoy this summer in France
Explaining her key takeaways from spending a year testing Paris’ pools, author Colombe Schneck said, “They are really clean. The municipality is often criticised, but the lifeguards are great, the entrance workers are always friendly and the rates (3.50 euros, 2 euros for those under 26, free for the unemployed) are very affordable.”
Here are each of the authors’ top five pools based on the criteria outlined above:
Colombe Schneck’s Top Five
1. The Butte-aux-Cailles (5 Pl. Paul Verlaine, 75013 Paris)
Listed as a historical monument, the Butte-aux-Cailles swimming pool bears witness to “the modernity of the architecture of the 1920s,” says Colombe Schneck. In addition to the indoor pool of 33m, the establishment also boasts an outdoor pool of 25m.
The Butte-aux-Cailles swimming pool, Paris pic.twitter.com/3wc6q7GfXG
— Anne Mortier (@AnneMortier1) November 5, 2017
2. Blomet (17 rue Blomet – 75015 Paris)
Located in Paris’ 15th arrondissement, the Blomet pool is 50m large, which is “rare enough to be noted.” The building has a “pure 1925 style” with large concrete arches were replaced by a glass roof in the 1960s, making the establishment all the sunnier.
Swimming friends, only a few more days of patience before discovering a Blomet swimming pool that you will have a hard time recognizing… 🚧 #Paris15 #sport @Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/pPQDIQjA4E
– City hall of 15 (@mairie15) September 8, 2020
3. Keller (14 rue de l’Ingenieur Robert Keller – 75015 Paris)
Also located in the 15th arrondissement, this pool was built at the end of the 1960s for postal workers. It was bought by the city in 2002 and renovated in 2006. It is a 50m pool with an opening roof, which is a huge plus during summer! “Swimming in the sun, looking at the sky, is quite unexpected in Paris,” said Colombe Schneck, in her book.
No time to do lengths during the day… Good news, the #pool Keller is open until 10 p.m. every night of the week (7 p.m. on weekends). To your shirts! #Paris15 pic.twitter.com/3cbry7kO68
– City hall of 15 (@mairie15) August 1, 2018
4. Georges-Hermant (15 rue David d’Angers – 75019 Paris)
This time found in the 19th arrondissement, located near Buttes Chaumont, the piscine Georges-Hermant is “worth the trip for the beauty of its 50m pool, which is almost outdoors because the canvas roof opens in the summer,” said Colombe Schneck.
The Georges Hermant swimming pool, located close to the #ButtesChaumont, is one of the only swimming pools in the capital to offer a 50-metre pool, ideal for chaining lengths! And As soon as the fine weather arrives, the swimming pool offers itself the luxury of being outdoors #JeudiPhoto #Paris19 pic.twitter.com/uGtbGGULxs
– MACVAC Paris 19th 🏠 (@MdCA75019) August 30, 2018
5. La Plaine (13 Rue du General Guillaumat, 75015 Paris)
Built in 1967 by architect Jean-Pierre Sevaistre near the Parc des Expositions, this pool has very large windows. To Colombe, it offers “an almost Californian luminosity. It’s like being in Los Angeles in the 1960s.”
Marine Schneck’s Top Five
1. Édouard-Pailleron (32, rue Edouard Pailleron, 75019 PARIS)
“It’s the pool of the 21st century,” said Marine Schneck, who praised it as the perfect mix between a 33m Art Deco pool from the 1930s and now part of a contemporary building (2006). The pool is luminous, with a paddling pool, a large, round children’s pool and a Jacuzzi.
For the release of Aquaman, on December 19, Warner Bros France and Brand station are installing a 450 m2 poster on the bottom of the pool basin of the Edouard Pailleron swimming pool in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. pic.twitter.com/GdeizmSEST
— jaiunpotedanslacom (@unpotedanslacom) December 10, 2018
2. Roger-Le Gall (34 Bd Carnot, 75012 Paris)
A beautiful swimming pool that in the summer becomes open air, the Roger-Le Gall pool is complete with a waterside cafeteria, lawn, and deckchairs, this pool is located right near to Porte de Vincennes. “It gives you the impression of being on vacation in the countryside!” says Marine Schneck.
The #SOP2019 ends in style at the Roger Le Gall swimming pool! Encouraged by their parents and the personnel of the Paul Valéry school complex (12th), the pupils took part with pupils from CM2 in a relay of the generations in the presence of @GillesPecout and of @yanisbacha 👏! pic.twitter.com/XOUlioNq3d
— Academy of Paris (@Academie_Paris) February 8, 2019
3. Jacqueline-Auriol (7 All. Louis de Funès, 75008 Paris)
Inaugurated in 2014, the pool at the Beaujon sports centre, with its large bay windows, offers a 25m stainless steel pool and a smaller one for children. Beware however, “the showers [were] installed facing the pool, without walls and without modesty!” notes Schneck.
🏊♀️ The #pool Jacqueline Auriol is again #openedfor your greatest pleasure.
Several slots #schedule are offered to you in order to ensure physical distance and everyone’s comfort. More info here: https://t.co/exJ0DMlqzs#paris8 #equipment pic.twitter.com/XGpzHHIKSQ– City hall of the 8th Paris (@Mairie08Paris) July 30, 2020
4. The Admirals (6, rue Hermann Lachapelle, 75018 PARIS)
Built in 1927 by the architect Henri Sauvage, the 33m pool of Les Amiraux, is classified as a historical monument. It almost resembles an ocean liner with two-story hallways above the pool! It was recently renovated in 2017.
The Admirals classified swimming pool is reopening its doors! Get ready to take a dip in this Art Nouveau masterpiece 👉https://t.co/MZgIs5WAxc pic.twitter.com/uewvarLery
— Paris (@Paris) November 7, 2017
5. Thérèse-et-Jeanne-Brulé (1, place Edith Thomas, 75014 PARIS)
Opened in February 2020, this swimming pool is brand new with large bay windows that allow the sun to reflect off of the aluminium pool (25m-long). On sunny days, you can visit the lovely solarium and enjoy its deckchairs!
#Wecanpassouthousecanruna little #etsinstruireunpeu #stayhome
Day 44: Get to know our Parisian sports facilities better
44/ Thérèse and Jeanne Brûlé (Elisabeth) swimming pool (14th)With its two pools, one for swimming, the other for learning, pic.twitter.com/AfJgGYf4NT
— Pierre Rabadan (@PierreRabadan) April 29, 2020
#swimming #pools #Paris
