The most beautiful swimming pools in Paris
Discover our pick of the loveliest swimming pools in Paris.
With this glorious weather and the heat arriving fast, we could all do with a dip in a lovely cool swimming pool! And since we're in Paris for a few weeks, here's our pick of the 3 most beautiful pools for a leisurely swim.
Piscine Pontoise
This pool in the 5th arrondissement is known above all for its historic value. Its buildings (constructed in 1933) are listed as historic monuments. It was also made famous by Jacques Cousteau, who tested his diving equipment here.
What we love? Night-time swimming sessions and the big 33-metre pool.
Expect to pay around 5 € for entry.
Piscine de la Butte aux Cailles
Another pool listed as a historic monument! With its Art Nouveau façade, it's one of the most famous pools in Paris.
Why do we love it? For its spring-water supply and its very reasonable price: 3 €.
Piscine Joséphine Baker
And finally, Joséphine Baker. Located in the 13th arrondissement, this floating pool has sun terraces and a 25-metre pool. A firm favourite with Parisians for its lovely views over Paris and the Seine, entry costs 3 €.
Here is an overview of the three flagship pools, summarized by their main features and admission prices.
| Pool | District | Notable feature | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pontoise | 5th | Historic monument (1933), 33 m pool, night swimming | ~5 € |
| Butte aux Cailles | 5th | Historic monument, Art Nouveau façade, spring-fed water | 3 € |
| Joséphine Baker | 13th | Floating pool, 25 m basin, view of the Seine and Paris | 3 € |
Other iconic pools
Paris is packed with swimming pools, but if we had to add a few more to our list, they would be:
- The Keller pool in the 15th
- Château Landon and Catherine Lagatu in the 10th
Lastly, we're also big fans of the Molitor pool, though it comes at quite a price! How about you: which are your favourite pools?
Frequently asked questions
Which pool in this selection is the cheapest? Butte aux Cailles and Joséphine Baker both charge 3 euros per entry. Pontoise is slightly more expensive, at around 5 euros. The gap is small, so the real decision comes down to what each pool offers beyond the price.
Where can you swim at night in Paris? The Pontoise pool, in the 5th arrondissement, offers night swimming sessions. That is what sets it apart in our selection, along with its 33-metre main pool.
Which Paris pools are listed historic monuments? Two of the pools in our selection. Pontoise, whose buildings date from 1933, and Butte aux Cailles, recognisable by its Art Nouveau facade.
Which pool should I pick for swimming lengths? Pontoise has the longest pool in our selection, at 33 metres. Joséphine Baker stops at 25 metres, but throws in a view over the Seine. It depends on whether you are there for the lengths or for the setting.
Where can you swim with a view of the Seine? At the Joséphine Baker pool, in the 13th arrondissement. This floating pool has sun decks and a 25-metre pool, and its view over Paris explains much of its popularity with locals.
Is the Molitor pool worth the price? We love it, but it is a serious budget, nothing like the 3 to 5 euros charged by the other pools mentioned here. If price matters, Keller in the 15th, Château Landon and Catherine Lagatu in the 10th round out the list nicely.
