Where the concierge points people first
- Piscine Joséphine Baker — Moored on the Seine by the Bibliothèque François-Mitterrand in the 13th, so you swim on the river rather than in it. The roof opens in summer, which is when the queue on the quay gets long. (48.8360, 2.3760)
- Piscine de la Butte aux Cailles — A 1920s brick building in the 13th, fed by water from an artesian well sunk in the neighborhood. It has outdoor basins as well as the handsome indoor hall. (48.8274, 2.3524)
- Piscine Georges Vallerey — The 50-meter pool by Porte des Lilas built for the 1924 Olympics, where Johnny Weissmuller won his golds. Serious lane swimmers come here for the length. (48.8754, 2.4061)
- Piscine de Pontoise — Art Deco in the 5th, with tiers of changing cabins running round the galleries above the water. As pretty as a municipal pool gets, and near enough to the Latin Quarter to fit between museums. (48.8501, 2.3523)
- Piscine Suzanne Berlioux - Les Halles — A 50-meter pool underground in the Forum des Halles, useful mainly because it is right on top of the biggest RER interchange in the city. (48.8841, 2.3693)
The rest of the public pools in Paris — every one we hold
- Bains-Douches Charenton (48.8434, 2.3851)
- Bains-Douches Ney (48.8980, 2.3397)
- Bassin Ecole Vitruve (48.8592, 2.4070)
- Centre Sportif Henry de Montherlant (48.8673, 2.2721)
- Centre Sportif Jacqueline Auriol (48.8763, 2.3061)
- Faael (48.8670, 2.3786)
- Jean Boiteux Pool (48.8421, 2.3894)
- John Rozenblum Architecte (48.8486, 2.3808)
- L'Aquapol (48.8153, 2.3213)
- Le cercle Foch (48.8721, 2.2867)
- Le Quartier Sport (48.8492, 2.3516)
- MenottoBakiej (48.8674, 2.3652)
- OGNatation (48.9059, 2.2434)
- Piscine Alfred Nakache (48.8715, 2.3789)
- Piscine Alice Milliat (48.8973, 2.4036)
- Piscine Aspirant Dunand (48.8319, 2.3264)
- Piscine Balard (48.8350, 2.2778)
- Piscine Bernard Lafay (48.8946, 2.3189)
- Piscine Bertrand Dauvin (48.8991, 2.3435)
- Piscine Blomet (48.8433, 2.3076)
- Piscine Champerret (48.8886, 2.2958)
- Piscine Champerret (48.8887, 2.2956)
- Piscine Château des Rentiers (48.8305, 2.3629)
- Piscine Claude Chedal-Anglay (48.9055, 2.2437)
- Piscine d'argenteuil (48.8945, 2.3382)
- Piscine d'Auteuil (48.8568, 2.2603)
- Piscine de Bagnolet (48.8699, 2.4249)
- Piscine de Boulogne-Billancourt (48.8308, 2.2410)
- Piscine de l'École Polytechnique (48.8474, 2.3488)
- Piscine de Puteaux (48.8788, 2.2458)
- Piscine de Vanves (48.8185, 2.2841)
- Piscine des Amiraux (48.8944, 2.3510)
- Piscine des Halles – Suzanne Berlioux (48.8623, 2.3447)
- Piscine Dunois (48.8331, 2.3663)
- Piscine Edouard Pailleron (48.8809, 2.3777)
- Piscine Fernand Blanluet (48.8848, 2.3993)
- Piscine Georges Hermant (48.8826, 2.3896)
- Piscine Georges Rigal (48.8567, 2.3936)
- Piscine Hébert (48.8940, 2.3634)
- Piscine Henry de Montherlant (48.8673, 2.2719)
- Piscine Keller (48.8475, 2.2823)
- Piscine Marius Jacotot. (48.8842, 2.2331)
- Piscine Municipale (48.8447, 2.3479)
- Piscine Municipale Beaujon (48.8764, 2.3064)
- Piscine Municipale de Clichy (48.9033, 2.2980)
- Piscine Municipale de Courbevoie (48.8946, 2.2534)
- Piscine Municipale de la Garenne Colombes (48.9054, 2.2437)
- Piscine Municipale de Pré-Saint-Gervais (48.8848, 2.3993)
- Piscine R Mulinghausen (48.8798, 2.4277)
- Piscine Roger Aveneau (48.8173, 2.2819)
- Piscine Roger Le Gall (48.8419, 2.4129)
- Piscine Therese et Jeanne Brule (48.8214, 2.3259)
- Piscine Yvonne Godard (48.8611, 2.4104)
- Pool Marjorie Gestring (48.8886, 2.2957)
- Pool of the Lions Court (48.8606, 2.3703)
- Spa Piscine Levallois (48.8961, 2.2927)
- Stade (48.8995, 2.3420)
- Stade Francais Olympique Courbevoie (48.8959, 2.2526)
- Stade Nautique Maurice Thorez (48.8562, 2.4337)
- Stade Nautique Maurice Thorez (48.8562, 2.4334)
- Stades (48.8564, 2.4331)
- Swimming pool jean taris (48.8448, 2.3481)
- Swimming Pool Rouvet (48.8930, 2.3852)
- Vert Marine (48.8303, 2.2421)
Board shorts will not get you past the changing rooms
French public pools require close-fitting swimwear: for men that means briefs or tight trunks, and loose board shorts or beach shorts are refused at the desk on hygiene grounds. Pack the right thing before you go. Caps are handled pool by pool, so carry one rather than argue. The city pools take anyone who pays at the door; there is no membership. What catches visitors out is the timetable, which is carved around school classes and clubs on weekdays and changes during vacances scolaires, so check the day's public slots before you set off.
Questions people ask
What are the best public pools in Paris?
For atmosphere, Piscine de Pontoise and Piscine de la Butte aux Cailles; for length, Piscine Georges Vallerey; for novelty, Piscine Joséphine Baker on the Seine.
How many public pools are there in Paris?
Num's directory maps 69 pools in Paris and the inner suburbs, most of them city-run.
Can you wear swim shorts in a Paris pool?
Not loose ones. French public pools require close-fitting swimwear, so bring briefs or tight trunks.
Ask Num which pool near you has a public session today in Paris
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