Swimming pools in Paris
 

I found this site that lists 34 pools in Paris by arrondisement:

http://www.paris.fr/fr/Sport/equipem...unicipales.ASP

This site is also helpful:
http://www.swimmersguide.com/query/S...m?StateName=83

The SwimmersGuide site lists the prices, which are surprisingly reasonable (3 or 4 Euros is typical).

Does anyone have any personal recommendations for swimming pools in Paris? Are there any thorny etiquette issues regarding swimming in Paris?

I'm not exactly a sportswoman, but I do enjoy swimming and it might be enjoyable on any unbearably hot days when I am there in July.

Hello,
There's quite a nice, big open-air pool in the 19th called the Piscine George Hermant, on rue David d'Angers.
It's an Olympic size pool with a section laned off for people swimming lengths, and the rest for splashing around in. In the winter they put the roof back on so it's open all year round.

I also used to go to the Piscine de Pontoise regularly, on rue de Pontoise in the 5th (off Bvd St Germain). It's a nice old-fashioned pool but it can get busy, as it's a favourite among students from the university at Jussieu.

There are two "classic" pools in Paris that were built in the 20's I believe and are both very pretty. The largest of the two is Pointoise which near Maubert Mutualité. The second is Butte aux Cailles which is located in the neighborhood of the same name near Place d'Italie.

Good luck in your swimming adventure. But perhaps you should prepare yourself
on proper pool behavior by reading this thread. The french can get upset over the smallest little things.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34436858

degas
How funny! Surely the whole house is awake now with my laughter! I live in S. Carolina and my oh my the visuals you evoked! 4 of us are leaving for Ireland next weeke and we've told everyone that if there was ever an international incident to be had, we'd be sure to cause it.

Speaking of "thorny etiquette problems," I believe the Speedo Rule is enforced at these pools. Ouch!

Very funny thread from Degas! There actually is a thread probably from a year back about pools in Paris have a look for it as well. Enjoy!

An earlier thread states that people have to wear swimming caps. That's a drawback from my point of view.

Degas, very funny.

Advantage of Piscine de Pontoise is that
swimming caps or Speedos aren't mandatory. At Piscine Georges Hermant, trunks (rather than shorts) are required for men but you don't have to wear a cap.

Is that true about no swimming caps even for women with shoulder-length hair?

One of my daughter's friends went to a public pool in Italy and used (presumably) a provided swimming cap and ended up with lice. Not that I am planning to do that.

We swam in Italy last summer and didn't have to wear swimming caps. It was a semi-private pool that the hotel had an arrangement with for their guests. So we are lice free!

Hello again,
Just thought I'd mention that I have long hair and used to swim regularly at both pools I mentioned above. Never had to wear a swimming cap.

To be honest I was always put off the swimming cap thing but at many gyms in Ireland they require it and I completely understand. Hair clogs drains and you don't want to swim in a pool full of hair. I think it is seen a more hygenic. WHo care if you have to wear a cap...then everyone looks like a dork and its ok!