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In the Seine, outdoor swimming pools, leisure centres and water sports centres: the best spots for swimming! When summer is in full swing, it's hard to resist the urge to take a dip. It's a refreshing and relaxing treat you can enjoy right in the heart of the capital, from swimming pools to water sports centres, not to mention the Seine...
Since 2002, Paris Plages has been THE place to be for beach lovers in the capital, open from 4 July to 30 August 2026. This new edition marks a turning point for Parisians and visitors alike: for the first time in a century – and as part of the legacy of the Paris 2024 Games – they can enjoy swimming in the Seine (https://parisjetaime.com/eng/event/swimming-in-the-seine-e1573) to the full, with three specially designed natural areas that are completely free of charge:
Swimming in the Bassin de la Villette is also back, with several areas suitable for all ages, water activities, pétanque courts, a trampoline and even a zip line. The same goes for swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin at 116 quai de Jemmapes in the 10th arrondissement.
Other summer swimming pools are also available throughout the summer in Paris at sports centres across the capital: Just Fontaine, Jules Noël, Georges Carpentier, Léo Lagrange, Louis Lumière, Poissonniers
From 17 June 2026, during heatwaves, swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin will be permitted from 3pm to 9pm.
👉 A few safety guidelines to follow when swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin:
Summer is also a chance for some Parisian swimming pools to open up to the public. Thanks to their retractable roofs, some of them allow you to enjoy a few sunbathing sessions while you swim. Swimming enthusiasts and history buffs can opt for one of the oldest swimming pools in Paris, located at the Butte‑aux‑Cailles (13th arrondissement), whose Art Deco design has earned it the status of a historic monument. The Georges Vallerey swimming pool (20th arrondissement) is a chance to test yourself in legendary waters, as it was here that American Johnny Weissmuller won his first Olympic titles in 1924… a few years before donning the costume of Tarzan for twelve films. Other classics include the Aquaboulevard water park and the Joséphine Baker floating pool installed on a barge overlooking the Seine (13th arrondissement).
And elsewhere? From the bucolic Auteuil pools in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne to the pools in the 19th arrondissement (Hébert and Georges Hermant) via the Keller pools (15th) and Roger Le Gall (12th), it's easy to find a spot (or a deckchair!) to lay your towel in the sun.
Moored on the Seine in the 15th arrondissement, Annette K is a 50‑metre floating pool with three lanes heated to 28 °C, a solarium and a wellness area, accessible with a single ticket or membership. It also features a gym, café, spa and - by night - a festive guinguette ambiance along the Seine.
On the other side of the Bois de Boulogne, opposite the Longchamp racecourse, the Compagnie des Maquereaux is setting up a marina in the 16th arrondissement with an outdoor pool! The company also runs waterfront spots in the 4th, 13th and Nogent‑sur‑Marne.
Looking for thrill-seeking and unique experiences? Head to the marina in the 16th arrondissement at Foil in Paris. This one-of-a-kind urban water sports club invites you to master the eFoil, an electric board that rises above the water to give you the sensation of literally flying over the Seine. Between memorable sessions on the water, the venue also offers the chance to relax on sun loungers and enjoy exclusive access to its outdoor pool and lounge area, all in a distinctly summery atmosphere.
Finally, a few Parisian hotels have outdoor swimming pools:
Most municipal swimming pools in Seine-Saint-Denis will be accessible for €1 for young people aged 4 to 18 residing in the intermunicipal area. Several facilities even have retractable roofs, perfect for enjoying the sun while swimming.
Summer in Paris is also an opportunity to sit outside in unique locations. Rooftops, redeveloped quays, hidden gardens... some terraces only appear for a few weeks a year.
Discover our selection of the best summer terraces for drinks, dinner or simply enjoying the Parisian sunset.
Some leisure centres and water sports centres are great reasons to discover sites surrounded by nature, just outside Paris. Advantages: a complete change of scenery and a wide range of activities to discover between dips in the water. About ten kilometres from the capital and accessible by metro, the Créteil leisure island (94) has a 1,300 m² area with a wave pool, slide and other water games. It is also home to a sailing school where you can try your hand at sailing (catamarans, dinghies, optimists, windsurfing). In Jablines, the Île‑de loisirs de Jablines‑Annet, Vaires-Torcy and Champs‑sur‑Marne (all located a stone’s throw from Disneyland® Paris), there is also open‑air swimming, horse riding, golf and more.
As part of the Vincennes estival Club, located in the exceptional setting of the courtyard of the Château de Vincennes, a water play area with a 10-metre by 20-metre swimming pool (1 metre deep) is available until 3 August 2025 for swimming with a view of the Donjon and the Sainte-Chapelle of the Château! Other activities include a cycling workshop, 3×3 basketball, trampoline, badminton, table tennis, pickleball, beach volleyball and a golf simulator.
To round off this green (and watery) getaway off the beaten track, some people don't hesitate to take up summer residence in Bois‑le‑Roi (in the heart of the Fontainebleau Forest), in Saint‑Quentin‑en‑Yvelines or Cergy‑Pontoise leisure island, or Étampes. Here again, experienced swimmers rub shoulders with children equipped with floats and families enjoying a picnic in an atmosphere reminiscent of seaside beaches. All that's missing is salt water...
An hour from Paris, the natural beach at L'Isle‑Adam - the largest in France - offers a charming, retro setting for swimming, sand and a wide range of outdoor activities. Created in 1895, it retains the elegance of its bourgeois past while offering tennis courts, mini golf, slides, a playground, beach volleyball and pedal boats. A true relaxation spot on the banks of the Oise, it is ideal for a summer getaway with the family.
On the Marne, many towns have also created beaches where swimming is permitted in the famous river:
Just outside Paris, the town of Pantin also offers its own refreshing oasis in the form of the Diderot swimming area. This open-air pool, situated in the park of the same name, is a popular spot for a safe dip throughout the summer. With its supervised swimming areas and educational activities for families, it’s the perfect spot to cool off in the very heart of the city.
During heatwaves, the Est Ensemble area in Seine-Saint-Denis often adjusts the opening hours of its swimming pools to provide extended access to cooling respite. Some facilities, such as the Maurice Thorez aquatic centre in Montreuil or the Les Murs swimming pool in Pêches, regularly extend their evening opening hours to allow residents to swim until 9pm or 10pm. Remember to check the local news during heatwaves to make the most of these extended opening times!
Is the temperature rising in the capital? Don't panic!
Shady parks, open-air swimming pools, refreshing fountains, misters, artisan ice cream and trips to the waterfront... Paris is full of places to escape the summer heat. Discover all the best places to relax, quench your thirst and breathe in the fresh air. Treat yourself to a refreshing break in the heart of the capital!
After a swim, treat yourself to some leisure time! Cruises on the Seine, panoramic rooftop terraces, unusual tours, amusement parks... Parisian experiences not to be missed this summer.
Easily book your favourite outings and experience the best of the capital under the sun.
