As the warmer weather arrives, Paris unveils its most beautiful open-air pools. Whether you’re looking for a workout, a relaxing moment in the sun or a chance to soak up the historic architecture, Paris’s municipal swimming pools offer a variety of atmospheres and facilities to suit all tastes. Here is our selection of must-visit venues for enjoying a summer swim outdoors in the capital.
| Name | District | Outdoor pool | Sunbathing area | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butte-aux-Cailles Swimming Pool | 13th arrondissement | 2 pools (25m and 12m) | Yes | Outdoor pool heated all year round |
| Pailleron Swimming Pool | 19th arrondissement | No | Yes (outdoor) | Ozone treatment, Art Deco |
| Hébert Swimming Pool | 18th arrondissement | Retractable roof | No | Tree-lined square, glass façade |
| Georges-Hermant Swimming Pool | 19th arrondissement | Open-air pool | Yes | Sun-drenched terraces |
| Keller Swimming Pool | 15th arrondissement | 2 retractable pools | No | Beaugrenelle neighbourhood |
| Auteuil Swimming Pool | 16th arrondissement | Partially retractable roof | Yes | Surrounded by nature, Bois de Boulogne |
| Joséphine Baker Swimming Pool | 13th arrondissement | Retractable roof (25m) | Yes (on the roof) | Floating pool on the Seine |
| Roger Le Gall Swimming Pool | 12th arrondissement | 2 pools (50m and 25m) | Yes | Diving and water polo pool |
| Georges-Vallerey Swimming Pool | 20th arrondissement | Retractable roof (50m) | Yes | Removable wall allows for two 25m pools |
| Emile Anthoine Swimming Pool | 15th arrondissement | Retractable roof (25m) | No | A stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower |
Located in the heart of a tree-lined square in north Paris, the Hébert swimming pool has a retractable roof that opens as soon as the fine weather arrives. Its fully glazed façade provides exceptional light for swimmers, who can enjoy a genuine open-air swimming area.
Just a stone’s throw from the Buttes-Chaumont, the Georges-Hermant swimming pool offers an outdoor pool, a sun deck and sun-drenched seating. Primarily designed for swimmers, it offers the perfect setting for a few laps followed by some sunbathing.
Built in the heart of the Beaugrenelle district in the 1970s, the Keller swimming pool has two open-air pools. It is one of the few Parisian facilities to offer a 50-metre competition pool, perfect for experienced swimmers.
Take a bucolic break at the Auteuil swimming pool, nestled in the Bois de Boulogne. It features two pools, one of which has a partially retractable roof, as well as a sunbathing area surrounded by nature amidst the trees.
Honour to the oldest of Paris’s swimming pools: the Butte-aux-Cailles swimming pool. Built in 1924 by architect Louis Bonnier, it is listed as a historic monument for its superb Art Nouveau décor. Its elegant curves, brick façade and reinforced concrete bear witness to an era when buildings were constructed with boldness and refinement.
In terms of facilities, three pools are available, including two outdoor pools measuring 25 and 12 metres. A first for Paris, the swimming pool now offers a heated outdoor pool all year round, allowing you to swim under the open sky even in winter. A unique experience in the capital, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of outdoor swimming whatever the season.
We continue our journey into the past with the Pailleron swimming pool, opened in 1933 and an Art Deco gem also listed as a historic monument.
The icing on the cake: ozone water treatment, which is far less polluting and gentle on the hair. Here, there’s no open-air pool, but an outdoor solarium for sunbathing after a dip. During the school holidays, the facility extends its opening hours.
Completely unique, the Joséphine Baker swimming pool is a floating pool installed on a barge moored at Quai François-Mauriac in the 13th arrondissement. Designed by architect Robert de Busni, this glass and steel structure opened its doors in July 2006.
Very modern, it features a 25-metre pool treated with ozone, ensuring excellent water quality without the unpleasant smell of chlorine. When the weather is fine, its retractable roof opens up and you find yourself swimming in the open air, with a breathtaking view of the Seine and the Parisian riverbanks. The experience is unique: you really feel as though you’re swimming on the river, sometimes even at night until 11 pm on Thursdays.
After your summer swim, head to the rooftop solarium, where you can relax on a sun lounger whilst admiring the cityscape. This panoramic terrace makes Joséphine Baker one of the capital’s most popular swimming pools. Booking is essential to access the Joséphine Baker swimming pool. Remember to book your slot in advance, particularly at weekends and during school holidays when it gets very busy.
Opened for the 1924 Olympic Games, the Georges-Vallerey Swimming Pool saw American Johnny Weissmuller, the unforgettable Tarzan of the silver screen, win the gold medal in the 400-metre freestyle. Located on Avenue Gambetta in the 20th arrondissement, it features a 50-metre Olympic pool with multiple configurations to suit both leisure and competitive swimming.
As soon as the warmer weather arrives, its magnificent retractable laminated timber roof opens to let the sun in. You can then swim outdoors under the Parisian sky, in this building with over 100 years of history that has undergone several phases of renovation. A real treat for competitive swimmers who enjoy swimming laps in the open air.
Behind Place de la Nation, the Roger Le Gall Swimming Pool is an aquatic complex designed by architect Roger Taillibert and opened in 1967. It has been home to the Paris Swimming Club since its inception and hosts certified competitions every year.
Its 50-metre competition pool opens up in summer thanks to its retractable roof, offering experienced swimmers the ideal setting to swim laps in their swimwear under the sun. The pool offers swimming lessons, aquagym, triathlon and aquabike classes. A unique feature in Paris: it welcomes naturists at certain times of the week.
A jewel of Art Deco architecture built in 1929 by architect Lucien Pollet, the Molitor Swimming Pool is undoubtedly the most legendary of Parisian swimming pools. It was here, in 1946, that the first modern bikini was unveiled by designer Louis Réard during a fashion show by the poolside.
After closing in 1989 and spending several years as an abandoned underground site, this “white ocean liner” has been fully restored and transformed into a five-star luxury hotel (MGallery).
Today, the Molitor offers a 46-metre heated outdoor pool open all year round, a covered winter pool, and a 1,700 m² Clarins spa with a hammam and sauna. Hotel guests have free access to these facilities, whilst a ‘summer swimming’ package allows non-residents to enjoy the rooftop terrace and pools by reservation. A venue steeped in history for a luxury experience in the 16th arrondissement.
Since May 2025, the Hoxton hotel Paris, located on rue du Sentier in the 2nd arrondissement, has been running ‘La Piscine’ every summer: a pop-up terrace with an 8-metre heated pool set up in the hotel’s inner courtyard. It offers a Franco-Italian Riviera vibe with red parasols, sun loungers and refreshing cocktails.
In the realm of rooftop pools, the Hôtel SAX Paris (7th arrondissement) also offers a heated outdoor pool with panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower, whilst other establishments in the capital are embracing this concept of rooftop swimming to offer a summer retreat right in the heart of Paris. An ideal way to combine aquatic relaxation with urban exploration.
To extend the wellness experience, many establishments in Paris and the Île-de-France region combine a pool with a spa. The Oceania Paris Porte de Versailles charms with its glass-roofed pool and 700 m² garden terrace, whilst La Fondation (17th arrondissement) has announced an ambitious project combining a hotel, semi-Olympic pool, spa and rooftop.
Fancy a change of scenery without leaving the capital? Head to Aquaboulevard de Paris, Europe’s largest urban water park! Nestled in the 15th arrondissement, near André Citroën Park, this 7,000 m² space transports you to the tropics with its palm trees, artificial beaches and lagoon-coloured water kept at 29°C all year round.
On the agenda: giant slides, outdoor pools, a wave pool, whirlpools, waterfalls and even family rafting. The more adventurous can try their hand at wakeboarding whilst the children have a blast on the pentaglisse. Online booking is strongly recommended to avoid queues and guarantee your access to this complex, which is very popular with Parisian families.
Beyond the city centre of Paris, the Île-de-France region boasts numerous outdoor pools to extend the summer swimming season. In Issy-les-Moulineaux, Aquazena attracts visitors with its outdoor Nordic pool, which is heated all year round. This Feng Shui-inspired aquatic centre also features a rooftop garden in summer, ideal for relaxing after a few laps.
Other aquatic centres in the Île-de-France region rely on heated pools to extend the swimming season: the Les Nymphéas Aquatic Centre in Noisy-le-Grand (93) with its wave pool and 60-metre slide, or Village Nature Paris near Disneyland® Paris, a veritable aquatic resort open all year round. These facilities allow visitors to enjoy the great outdoors even out of season, much to the delight of swimmers in the Paris region.
The municipal swimming pools in the capital remain the most affordable option for cooling off without breaking the bank.
In 2026, the entry fee is €3.50 (€2 for concessions) for standard pools. However, from weekends in mid-May until the end of September and every day in July and August, the fee for outdoor pools rises to €6.50 (ticket valid for 2 hours). Free entry is available subject to certain conditions, notably for young people under 26 living in Paris, recipients of the RSA (Revenue de Solidarité Active), or large families holding an SNCF card.
To benefit from these advantages, go to the ticket office with your proof of eligibility, proof of address and ID. By way of comparison, access to a hotel swimming pool can cost over €30 for non-residents.
Parisian swimming pools are officially open from 7am to 10.30pm. Some facilities offer evening sessions that are particularly popular. The Pontoise swimming pool stands out with sessions running until 11.45 pm on certain evenings, whilst the Joséphine Baker swimming pool welcomes swimmers until 11 pm on Thursdays. These late-evening sessions allow workers to unwind after work in a quieter atmosphere.
Please note that evening rates may vary depending on the facility. During the school holidays, in July and August, opening hours are extended so you can make the most of the summer. Be aware, however, of seasonal closures for maintenance work.
For those wishing to avoid the smell and effects of chlorine on skin and hair, several Parisian swimming pools use ozone water treatment. Swimming caps are compulsory in all municipal swimming pools, as are suitable swimwear (shorts and boxer shorts are prohibited).
Checklist of essentials for your outdoor swim:
