Paris pools have symbolised athleticism in the French capital dating back to the 1924 Olympics – a century ago. The French fondness for swimming may not surpass the national penchant for cycling, football, tennis and rugby – even in this Olympic year that celebrates all sports. But architecturally speaking, its passion for the pool continues strong – and speaks volumes.
For the 1924 event, the city commissioned the big, brutalist architecture-style Piscine des Tourelles (later renamed Piscine Georges-Vallerey) in the deepest reaches of the Télégraphe neighbourhood. Its success as a crucial infrastructure project for working-class Paris inspired other iconic pools like the art deco Molitor, now part of a luxury hotel, and Espace Pontoise, which just emerged from its own restoration.
