Paris's Oldest Swimming Pool Reopens After Renovation
What happened
Piscine Château-Landon, the oldest public swimming pool in Paris, has reopened to the public following extensive renovations. The pool, which had been closed since 2018, is a significant community resource for local residents in the 10th arrondissement. The reopening marks the completion of a long-term restoration project.
Why it matters
- Originally designed by architect Lucien-Dieudonné Bessières, the pool first opened in 1884 as France's first covered and heated public swimming pool. Its initial purpose was primarily focused on public hygiene, offering Parisians a warm place to bathe. - The pool's distinctive "paquebot" (ocean liner) style dates back to a major reconstruction between 1925 and 1927. This Art Deco-inspired design, featuring two levels of cabins along the galleries, was a result of a rebuild necessitated by the expansion of the adjacent Gare de l'Est railway tracks. - The 18-month renovation project, which began in the summer of 2024, cost €14 million. The work was led by the architecture and engineering firms SOJA Ingénierie, AP-MA Architecture, and Agence PLATANE & ILIC Associés. - A key part of the restoration involved preserving the historic look while upgrading the infrastructure; the 25-meter pool basin was refitted with a modern stainless steel tank to replace the old mosaics for better durability. - The renovation has significantly improved the building's energy efficiency, cutting overall energy consumption by 40% and reducing the energy needed for water heating by 54%. - Along with the architectural restoration, the pool has expanded its programming to include activities such as baby swimming lessons, prenatal classes, and dedicated sessions for individuals with disabilities. - The ground floor of the historic building is now fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, and two family-sized cabins have been added. - Despite the extensive renovation, entry prices will remain the same as other municipal pools in Paris, with a standard adult ticket costing €3.50.
Key numbers
- The pool, which had been closed since 2018, is a significant community resource for local residents in the 10th arrondissement.
- - Originally designed by architect Lucien-Dieudonné Bessières, the pool first opened in 1884 as France's first covered and heated public swimming pool.
- The pool's distinctive "paquebot" (ocean liner) style dates back to a major reconstruction between 1925 and 1927.
- The 18-month renovation project, which began in the summer of 2024, cost €14 million.
What happens next
- Despite the extensive renovation, entry prices will remain the same as other municipal pools in Paris, with a standard adult ticket costing €3.50.
Quick answers
What happened in Paris's Oldest Swimming Pool Reopens After Renovation?
Piscine Château-Landon, the oldest public swimming pool in Paris, has reopened to the public following extensive renovations. The pool, which had been closed since 2018, is a significant community resource for local residents in the 10th arrondissement. The reopening marks the completion of a long-term restoration project.
Why does Paris's Oldest Swimming Pool Reopens After Renovation matter?
Originally designed by architect Lucien-Dieudonné Bessières, the pool first opened in 1884 as France's first covered and heated public swimming pool. Its initial purpose was primarily focused on public hygiene, offering Parisians a warm place to bathe. The pool's distinctive "paquebot" (ocean liner) style dates back to a major reconstruction between 1925 and 1927. This Art Deco-inspired design, featuring two levels of cabins along the galleries, was a result of a rebuild necessitated by the expansion of the adjacent Gare de l'Est railway tracks. The 18-month renovation project, which began in the summer of 2024, cost €14 million. The work was led by the architecture and engineering firms SOJA Ingénierie, AP-MA Architecture, and Agence PLATANE & ILIC Associés. A key part of the restoration involved preserving the historic look while upgrading the infrastructure; the 25-meter pool basin was refitted with a modern stainless steel tank to replace the old mosaics for better durability. The renovation has significantly improved the building's energy efficiency, cutting overall energy consumption by 40% and reducing the energy needed for water heating by 54%. Along with the architectural restoration, the pool has expanded its programming to include activities such as baby swimming lessons, prenatal classes, and dedicated sessions for individuals with disabilities. The ground floor of the historic building is now fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, and two family-sized cabins have been added. Despite the extensive renovation, entry prices will remain the same as other municipal pools in Paris, with a standard adult ticket costing €3.50.
