Six architectural gems: Paris's most beautiful swimming pools
A heatwave in Paris has prompted a look at the city's most stunning swimming pools, which are architectural treasures. The pools include Pontoise (1933, Lucien Pollet, Art Deco, used in films by Sautet and Kieślowski, where Tarzan's cry was recorded and Cousteau tested diving gear, listed monument, under restoration until 2023), Molitor (1929, Lucien Pollet, Art Deco, with stained glass by Louis Barillet, hosted first bikini show in 1945, closed 1980s, demolished except facade, rebuilt identically with hotel and spa, reopened 2014), Joséphine Baker (2006, Robert de Busni, floating pool on Seine, retractable roof, closing end of year), Butte aux Cailles (1924, Louis Bonnier, Art Nouveau, three pools heated by computer servers recycling heat), Pailleron (1933, Lucien Pollet, Art Deco, restored and reopened 2006, now includes fitness, spa, ice rink, artwork by Carmen Perrin), and Amiraux (1927-1930, Henri Sauvage, Art Deco, part of social housing, appeared in Amélie, renovated 2017 by Chatillon Architectes).
Key facts
- Piscine Pontoise inaugurated 1933, architect Lucien Pollet, Art Deco, listed monument, under restoration until 2023.
- Piscine Molitor inaugurated 1929, architect Lucien Pollet, Art Deco, stained glass by Louis Barillet, first bikini show 1945, demolished and rebuilt identically, reopened 2014 with hotel and spa.
- Piscine Joséphine Baker opened 2006, architect Robert de Busni, floating on Seine, retractable roof, closing end of year.
- Piscine de la Butte aux Cailles inaugurated 1924, architect Louis Bonnier, Art Nouveau, three pools heated by computer servers.
- Piscine Pailleron opened 1933, architect Lucien Pollet, Art Deco, restored and reopened 2006, includes fitness, spa, ice rink, artwork by Carmen Perrin.
- Piscine des Amiraux built 1927-1930, architect Henri Sauvage, Art Deco, part of social housing, appeared in Amélie, renovated 2017 by Chatillon Architectes.
- Piscine Pontoise served as film set for Sautet and Kieślowski, site of Tarzan's cry recording and Cousteau's diving gear tests.
- Piscine Molitor hosted fashion shows and was a hub for street artists and free parties after closure.
Entities
Artists
- Lucien Pollet
- Louis Barillet
- Robert de Busni
- Louis Bonnier
- Henri Sauvage
- Carmen Perrin
- Chatillon Architectes
- Johnny Weissmuller
- Aileen Riggin Soule
- Jacques Cousteau
Institutions
- Beaux Arts Magazine
- Ville de Paris
- Monuments Historiques
- BnF
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Butte aux Cailles
- Piscine Pontoise
- Piscine Molitor
- Piscine Joséphine Baker
- Piscine de la Butte aux Cailles
- Piscine Pailleron
- Piscine des Amiraux
- Bois de Boulogne
- Seine
- 5th arrondissement
- 13th arrondissement
- 16th arrondissement
- 18th arrondissement
- 19th arrondissement
- Quai François Mauriac
- Rue de Pontoise
- Rue Nungesser et Coli
- Place Paul Verlaine
- Rue Edouard Pailleron
- Rue Hermann-Lachapelle