garonne-bordeaux

The city of Bordeaux is considering opening swimming pools in the Garonne

undefined undefined 16 juillet 2025 undefined 08h30

undefined undefined undefined 08h17

The Editor

©Borisb17

Is it almost time for the big swim? What if the people of Bordeaux rediscovered the joy of diving into their river? The Bordeaux City Hall is seriously considering the possibility of opening a swimming area in the Garonne. It’s an ambitious project, balancing memories of the past with technical challenges.

Once a familiar sight for the people of Bordeaux, swimming in the Garonne might soon be making a comeback! The city is actively working on it, driven by a dual enthusiasm: reconnecting with a centuries-old history and integrating Bordeaux into a movement of reclaiming its rivers, just like in Paris or Quebec, where people already swim in the Seine or the Saint-Laurent.


A Forgotten Tradition

For over 150 years, the banks of Bordeaux hosted floating wooden baths, simple or luxurious, complete with heated cabins and suspended pools. From the Quai de la Monnaie to the Place des Quinconces, these popular or refined installations marked the rhythm of summer life. This tradition faded away after World War II, leaving behind a sense of nostalgia.


A Technical and Territorial Project

Unlike the Seine, the Garonne already boasts a satisfactory water quality. However, it presents different challenges 

an average flow rate of 600 to 1,000 m³/s, with floods that can reach 5,000 m³/s, compared to just 220 m³/s for the Seine in Paris. The tidal range and the river's strong currents make operations quite complex.

Two options are being considered:

  • A wild swimming area, right in the riverbed, with floating docks, safety nets, protective curtains, and regular maintenance. Estimated cost: about 10 million euros.

  • A calm water swimming area, possibly at the Floating Basins, in a semi-enclosed space that's easier to manage. Estimated cost: between 2 and 3 million euros.

These ideas...cute; demanding investments require the approval of the Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux and various environmental permits, which could delay the timeline. “The initial studies have been launched to understand the constraints, the costs, as part of a global strategy to strengthen the link with the river across all themes: economy, logistics, tourism...” the municipality shares with us.


A Garonne with rights?

Beyond just the swimming project, the city advocates for a holistic vision: reconnecting Bordeaux to its river. In May, the Town Hall signed a manifesto for the recognition of the rights of the Garonne as a living entity. Several communities – Langon, Tabanac, Saint-Pierre-d’Aurillac – have already shown their support.