Swimming in France
/During a visit to Paris for the Olympics we planned on visiting a lido on the other side of Paris (90 minute trip), only to discover at the very last minute that there was one right behind our hotel…and what a pool. Retractable roof, roof terrace, very affordable entry fee… This got me wondering just how many stunning pools there are in France? There are a lot! I’ve compiled a list of France’s lidos (a working document which I’ll add to), I’ve also included indoor pools with stunning architecture and avoided water parks, hotel pools and places that would have mass tourist numbers. Feel free to get in touch, if there’s somewhere worth adding.
*All of the pool names are hyperlinked to the pools website.
ANTIBES :
ANTIBES JUAN-LES-PINS SWIMMING POOL - offers a beautiful 50m outdoor swimming pool and a learner (25m) indoor pool. Video footage - CLICK HERE
BORDEUX :
LA PISCINE DE BEGLES - beautiful art deco design, meshed with a modern interior. Build in the 1930s and refurbished in 2006. Consists of a 25m pool, garden and patio and dining area. Video footage - CLICK HERE
LA PISCINE JUDAIQUE - built back in 1936 and had a little touch-up and essential work in 1996. Consists of a 25m pool, a 50m pool with retracting roof, cafe, learner pool, spa, poolside area… Video footage - CLICK HERE
CREIL :
LA PISCINE DE CREIL - complete renovation completed in 2013. Including the main swimming pool, kids pool and sauna/relaxation area.
LYON :
CENTRE NAUTIQUE TONY BERTRAND - 8 lane, 50m outdoor swimming pool…right on the river. Video footage - CLICK HERE
MARSEILLE :
PISCINE BONNEVEINE - features some stunning architecture and a 25x 10m indoor swimming pool.
PISCINE DE SANTEL
PISCINE FRAIS VALLON - a 25x10m, 5 lanes indoor swimming pool, with stunning design.
PISCINE LA MARTINE - beautiful indoor 25m swimming pool.
PISCINE LA CASTELLANE - indoor 25m pool, with a beautiful exposed wood ceiling and design.
PISCINE LA POINTE ROUGE - outdoor swimming pool, open during the summer months. Consists of a childrens pool and larger adults swimming pool. Video footage - CLICK HERE
PISCINE LES MICOCOULIERS - Indoor 25m swimming pool, with retractable roof. Open year round. Also has a baby/toddlers pool.
PISCINE MAGNAC - possibly not as impressive in terms of architecture, as some of the others listed. 6 lane, 25m indoor pool.
PISCINE PONT DE VIVAUX - unusual opening hours, in that it appears to be closed on the weekends and over the summer.
PISCINE VALLIER - indoor swimming pool, with beautiful tiling and roof detail.
MONTPELLIER :
PISCINE OLYMPIQUE D’ANTIGONE - Impressive 50m pool, with plenty of fun features for kids. Video footage - CLICK HERE
MOULINEAUX :
PISCINE AQUA ZENA - it looks like swimming in a futuristic spaceship! The centre comes with a whole host of other activities…
PARIS :
CENTRE AQUATIQUE DE NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE - 7 lane 25m pool, with a number of additional features, including hot outdoor pool, kids pool, slides… Video footage - CLICK HERE
PAILLERON SWIMMING POOL - listed, art deco sports complex and 33m pool, built in the 1930s. Beautifully built indoor pool. Great footage - CLICK HERE
PISCINE BUTTE-AUX-CAILLES - stunning in-and-outdoor swimming pools. Footage - CLICK HERE
PISCINE CHATEAUX LANDON - the oldest indoor pool in Paris, dating way back to 1884. 4 lane, 25m pool, with a small kids pool. Limited footage - CLICK HERE
PISCINE CHAMPERRET - beautifully tiled, with lots of natural light. 2 pools, 1 x 25m and 1 x learner pool.
PISCINE D’AUTEUIL A’ PARIS - 25m indoor pool, with quite an industrial feel to it. Footage - CLICK HERE
PISCINE DES AMIRAUX - another unforgettable art deco lido, built in the late 1920s. Extensive footage - CLICK HERE
PISCINE DES REGUIDELLES - stunning indoor 25m pool, with retractable roof. Includes a learner/kids pool and roof top terrace. Footage - CLICK HERE
PISCINE GEORGES HERMANT - lovely 8 lane, 50m outdoor pool (a 25m boom is sometimes in place). Footage - CLICK HERE
PISCINE GEORGES-VALLEREY - another beautiful pool, with retractable roof. More of a competitive pool, with large spectator area…but also open to the public. Footage - CLICK HERE
PISCINE HERBERT - really interesting indoor pool, with lots of natural light. Decent footage - CLICK HERE
PISCINE JOSEPHINE BAKER - 4 lane, 25m pool, with stunning views of the Seine. Footage - CLICK HERE
PISCINE MOLITOR - has a really interesting history and is a pool you simply won’t forget in a hurry! Footage - CLICK HERE
PISCINE PAILLERON - as well as a beautiful swimming, the facility comes with an ice skating rink, gym… Check it out - CLICK HERE
PISCINE PONTOISE QUARTIER LATIN - 33m, 6 lane swimming pool. Really distinctive design and architecture…well worth a look. CLICK HERE for footage.
PISCINE ROGER LE GALL - outdoor 6 lane, 50m swimming pool. Open during the summer season. Video footage - CLICK HERE
RENNES :
SAINT-GEORGES POOL - beautiful and very intricate design to the pool and pool features. 33 yards in length. View footage - CLICK HERE
SAINT-QUAY-PORTRIEUX :
OUTDOOR SEA WATER POOL - stunning 25m seawater pool, with a shallow end. Naturally filled up by larger tides. Free entry, lifeguarded in the summer and it has a diving board! Beautiful video really shows off the pool - CLICK HERE
STRASBOURG :
LES BAINS MUNICIPAUX DE STRASBOURG - another must visit swimming pool. Although it’s not very practical to swim in. CLICK HERE - for footage
PISCINE DE LINGOLSHEIM - looks like something from outer space. Nicknamed the ‘Sunflower’, as it’s very unique roof is retractable and opens up in the warmer months.
TOULOUSE :
ALFRED NAKACHE SUMMER POOL - massive 150 x 48m outdoor swimming pool. Open over the summer.