Located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, in Paris’s 5th arrondissement, the Pontoise Swimming Pool stands as a remarkable example of 1930s Art Deco architecture. Designed by Lucien Pollet and completed in 1932, it is part of a series of Parisian swimming pools developed according to a common design, alongside the Molitor Swimming Pool, among others. Listed on the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments since 1998, it stands out for the richness of its decor and the quality of its spatial layout.
Organized around a central pool surrounded by cabins arranged over three levels and connected via galleries, the pool has gradually evolved to incorporate new amenities: fitness areas, squash courts, and even a sauna. An iconic landmark of the Parisian landscape, it has also served as a setting for several films, including “The Fabulous Destiny of Amélie Poulain”.
The building is characterized by a double glass roof covering its structure: an inner roof ensuring airtightness and a second one protecting the metal framework. Over time, the structural condition of these elements became a cause for concern, necessitating a comprehensive renovation.
The project, led by the City of Paris, aimed to balance faithful restoration with modern performance and operational requirements. The approach adopted sought to preserve the existing structural layout while enhancing transparency and incorporating contemporary solutions. In this context, an inflatable ETFE canopy was installed, providing a lightweight, high-performance, and reversible solution.
Beyond the roof, the project included a complete overhaul of the technical systems: water treatment, boiler room, and utility networks. The pool hall, cabins, and adjacent sports areas underwent a complete restoration. This work was accompanied by a major effort to improve the building’s energy performance, including insulation, replacement of exterior joinery, and, most importantly, optimization of the air handling system, resulting in a reduction in energy consumption of approximately 20%.
The various blue, ochre, and brown mosaics adorning the pool hall and the entrance were fully restored. A detailed stratigraphic analysis made it possible to identify the original paint colors of the railings, cabin doors, and walls. It also revealed original pictorial inscriptions, which had faded over the years, such as “prière de ne pas courir”, and which were subsequently restored by hand.
The project aims to be a model restoration, guided by a desire to restore the building’s original clarity and recapture the essence of this nearly century-old structure, while complying with current regulations.
