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.
- 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.
