Discover Paris’ Artistic Pools: A Blend of Architecture, Heritage, and Stunning Views
In a city where art is omnipresent, even the pools are an opportunity to immerse yourself in architecture and heritage. From Art Deco and Art Nouveau to contemporary designs and breathtaking views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower, Paris’ pools are a feast for the eyes. Let’s take a dip in the best of them!
Like many other sports, swimming owes its rise to our British and German Neighbours. While the first swimming school was set up on a floating pool on the Seine in Paris in the late 18th century, it wasn’t until the late 19th century that the first swimming pools were built. The real breakthrough came in the 1920s with the hosting of the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, which left an enduring legacy.
Butte aux Cailles: A Masterpiece of Art Nouveau
Located in the 13th arrondissement, the Butte-aux-Cailles swimming pool has been a classified monument since 1990. Designed by the architect Louis Bonnier and inaugurated in 1924, this Art Nouveau marvel is full of curves, plays with light and uses modern materials such as reinforced concrete and brick for its façade. It stands as a “cathedral” dedicated to sport, with a glass vault 15 metres above the ground and illuminated suspensions. The pool houses three pools, one indoor and two outdoor, as well as a solarium.
The Butte aux Cailles swimming-pool
Emilie Chaix/Ville de Paris
Swimming in the Seine at Joséphine Baker
Since July 2006, Parisians have been able to swim in the Seine thanks to the unique floating Joséphine Baker pool. Docked at the Port de la Gare, near the François-Mitterrand Library, this glass and steel structure, designed by the architect Robert de Busni, is kept afloat by twenty metal floats. A distant descendant of the Deligny pool, which sank on the left bank of the Seine in 1993, the Joséphine Baker offers a truly exceptional swimming experience.
You can “swim in the Seine” at the Josephine Baker swimming pool
Joséphine Brueder / Ville de Paris
Pailleron: A dive into Art Deco
Another remarkable pool, listed in 1998, is the Pailleron sports centre pool in the 19th arrondissement. Built in 1933 by the architect Lucien Pollet, who was also responsible for the Pontoise and Molitor pools, it was completely renovated in 2006, with a metal frame and a curved glass roof. The sports centre also includes a skating rink, also renovated in 2006.
Pailleron: A dive into Art Deco
Déborah Lesage/Ville de Paris
Les Amiraux: Amélie’s favourite
If the Les Amiraux swimming pool in the 18th arrondissement recalls a scene from Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Amélie Poulain, it’s because it served as a backdrop for the film. Built in 1927 by the architect Henri Sauvage, who also designed the Samaritaine department stores, it was lavishly restored between 2015 and 2017.
Les Amiraux: Amélie’s favourite
Gerard Sanz/Ville de Paris
Emile-Anthoine: the Eiffel Tower’s neighbour
Imagine swimming in an urban pool with a view of the Eiffel Tower. The Emile-Anthoine pool in the 15th arrondissement offers you this unusual experience. In summer, there is a solarium where you can relax after your swim and enjoy the breathtaking view.
Emile-Anthoine: the Eiffel Tower’s neighbour
Gerard Sanz/Ville de Paris
Thérèse & Jeanne Brulé: Eco-friendly excellence
Paris’ newest municipal pool, the Thérèse & Jeanne Brulé (formerly Élisabeth) in the 14th arrondissement, will open its doors to swimmers in February 2020. With two pools for swimming and learning, it incorporates several energy-saving features, including a heat pump air treatment unit, solar thermal sensors and a waste water heat recovery system.
Thérèse & Jeanne Brulé: Eco-friendly excellence
Gerard Sanz/Ville de Paris
Marie-Marvingt: the contemporary one
Named after the multi-talented Marie Marvingt (1875-1963), this pool in the centre of Paris (formerly Saint-Merri) was completely renovated in 2019. With a 25-metre stainless steel pool, it has a contemporary feel.
Marie-Marvingt: the contemporary one
Gerard Sanz/Ville de Paris
Vallerey: the Olympic pool
Built for the 1924 Summer Olympics, the Georges Vallerey pool in the 20th arrondissement has a 50-metre pool that Paris swimmers love. Its retractable roof allows open-air swimming in summer, and the facility can host swimming and water polo competitions for up to 1,500 spectators. Vallerey will serve as a training venue during the Paris 2024 Games.
Vallerey: the Olympic pool
Emilie Chaix/Ville de Paris
Pontoise: A jewel of Art Deco heritage
Finally, the queen of Parisian pools: the Pontoise. Designed by the architect Lucien Pollet in the 1930s, this Art Deco jewel, along with Pailleron and Molitor, opened its doors in 1934 in the 5th arrondissement. Renovated with meticulous attention to the original architecture, including the replacement of the glass roof using the “hot riveting” technique favoured by Gustave Eiffel, the restoration cost 17.065 million euros. The project, funded by the Direction de la jeunesse et des sports de la Ville de Paris and co-funded by the State, also modernised the facilities and reduced energy consumption by 20% with a new air treatment system and thermal insulation on the terraced roofs of the main building.
Pontoise: A jewel of Art Deco heritage
Joséphine Brueder/Ville de Paris
Key Figures :
In millions of euros, the budget required to renovate the Pontoise swimming pool, a true Art Deco jewel. Funded by the Direction de la Jeunesse et des Sports de la Ville de Paris and co-funded by the State.
Contacts:
Press service – press.mediacentre@paris.fr
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