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The oldest swimming pool in Paris is getting a makeover!

undefined undefined 15 mai 2025 undefined 13h00

The Editor

© Gérard Sanz / Ville de Paris

Not far from the Gare de l’Est, there’s a swimming pool like no other. And for good reason, it’s one of the oldest in the capital, and even in France! Inaugurated in 1884, the Château-Landon pool has closed its doors until 2026 for a well-deserved wave of renovations.

When we think of pools in Paris, some iconic images instantly pop into our heads, like the legendary pool at Molitor or the houseboat pool Joséphine Baker. However, there are other, less-known gems that deserve our attention just as much. For instance, there's the one in Château-Landon, quite discreet, yet it holds the title of the oldest covered pool in France! It's a truly historic place that has been undergoing a massive renovation since last year to become more accessible, among other improvements.


The First Pool in France

In 1884, right in the heart of the capital, the first covered pool in France was inaugurated. It was a little revolution made possible by architect Lucien-Dieudonné Bessières, along with...

eacute; by engineer Edmond Philippe, but also, and most importantly, by Paul Christmann, hygienist and a great advocate of physical exercise. At that time, the water was already heated, thanks to elevating plants located in La Villette.

While the building underwent a significant wave of work between 1925 and 1927 to transform it into the «ocean liner» style that gives it its unique look today, nothing very serious had been done since then. Until 2018, when the impressive dome of the basin showed serious signs of deterioration, and a decision was made to close the site for safety reasons. But what awaits us after the renovations ?


A more modern, accessible place

The goal of this extensive project is simple: to ensure the safety of future swimmers, and above all, to make the place more inclusive by adding, for example, access for people with reduced mobility (PRM) that has been nonexistent until now. The work will...The budget amounts to 14 million euros, which will also allow us to renovate the pool, replacing the hard-to-maintain mosaic bottom with an inox basin. The impressive glass roof will be renovated, and the painting will be completely redone to bring the pool back to its former glory.

Finally, this project has a dual purpose: to preserve the heritage and character of the place, while making it much more ecological and environmentally friendly. The teams hope to reduce energy consumption by 40%, with 54% related to the heating of the building, which is being completely redesigned. The construction is expected to finish in January 2026, giving you plenty of time to grab your speedo, goggles, and swim cap!