Swimming pool

[lnverte]

For those of you who will be here over the summer, you may need somewhere to cool off. There are a few open-air swimming pools in Paris but I recommend the newly reopened 'Piscine Keller' in the 15th arrondissement (14, rue de l'ingénieur Keller, M° Charles Michel or Javel).

Firstly, it is an olympic size pool (one of very few in Paris). Secondly, it is entirely run by the Mairie de Paris so the entry is cheap (other open air pools, are partly owned by private companies so they can set their own rates). Thirdly, it is not very well known so there aren't too many people and even then, a lot of people prefer to sunbathe by the side of the pool rather than actually get wet. They also, sensibly, have a well enforced system of lanes so if you swim like a torpedo, you won't be held up by spashing children (there's also a children's pool so most of the splashing goes on in there anyway). Finally, the opening hours are among the best in Paris (along with the Suzanne Berlioz in Les Halles) - from 12 - 10pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 2 - 8 on Wednesdays and all day on weekends and during the school holidays.

The staff can be a little surly at times but you only need to speak to them to buy your ticket so just grin and bare it and think of the suntan and the well toned thigh muscles you'll be getting.

LN

[phread]

Great tip, Green. I've been looking for a pool and that one is just blocks from the girls' school. Thank you!

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

This definitely qualifies as a true "insider secret"! People ask about pools from time to time, and I (and I suspect pretty much everyone else) have no idea where to suggest they go. Thanks!

[Laura (paris4)]

Hi LN

Thanks for the tip. We will be in Paris over the summer and would like to try out a pool so this is good for us.

I have heard that men are not allowed to wear shorts for swimming, only speedo-type trunks, is that right? And do we need caps as well? Any other swimming pool ettiquette tips would be appreciated!

Thanks
Laura

[GitteK]

Here is a map over Paris with links to the Parisian pools:
www.nageurs.com/carte.cgi

If you click on the locations, you get pictures and info.
I am bringing my bathing suit ! Woo-hoo..........

And two more links:
www.linternaute.com/sortir/piscines/piscines-paris/index.shtml
www.paris.fr/portail/Sport/Portal.lut?page_id=152

[Truffaut]

According to the City's website, tight swim trunks (as opposed to surfer shorts or boxer-type) are expected for [mysterious] hygiene reasons. The website says this rule is to prevent "hidden pollution".

[Happygoin]

I'm mystified. So...um...what exactly do you guys hide up there??

[sistereurope]

Oh Happy, that's just an excuse so that they can all continue to parade around in those skimpy speedos...

[GitteK]

Yup, while they are hoping for someone to come along from
"Association Amicale des Amateurs d'Andouillettes Authentiques" .............. ;D ;D

[geordy]

Brave women. I wasn't going near that one!

However I do have one suit with "tap pant" like bottom...is that a no no for women? (Not that I'm going to a pool in Paris..I do not swim! )

But when taking French lessons at the the French Institute/Alliance Francais the first tape/story that we studied featured piscine as a vocabulary word!

[Shoesy]

O.K., everyone......I guess I'm a bit naive here. Would someone please explain to me what Truffy's post means.

[Laura (paris4)]

May 27, 2008 11:27:16 GMT -5 Truffaut said:

According to the City's website, tight swim trunks (as opposed to surfer shorts or boxer-type) are expected for [mysterious] hygiene reasons. The website says this rule is to prevent "hidden pollution".

Thanks Truffaut, I had heard the rule before but wasn't sure of the reasoning behind it. But now I know it's 'hidden pollution', well it's obvious isn't it? ;D ;D

Laura

[GitteK]

geordy: WHAT on earth is a "tap pant" !!?? The word sounds as if they are boys' pants with a fly to let your "tap" out ??

shoesy: maybe it's because the swimmingpool authorities suspect that guys in surfer shorts will wave their "andouillettes" around in the water and perform - God forbid - unspeakable actions with it ??

[Happygoin]

Andouillettes...ARGH!...you're killing me!

(my boss just came running out of his office to see what on earth I was hysterical about)

[geordy]

Gitte,

They are like loose short shorts..like chorus girls..tap dancing ones..wear/wore. A big lingerie item with matching camisole.!

They starting making swim suits with them several years ago.

[GitteK]

You know what knickers are called like that in DK ??

Picnic knickers !!

guess why........

[framboiseetrose]

My boss exchange a home in Paris last summer - I wrote a guide for him and his family (2 pre-teen children). Of course, I told him to take speedos for himself and his son. He had that reaction but I did not know the reason why the loose types of swimwear are not allowed. Thanks to Truffaut for explaining the reason.

Gitte - andouilettes??? Some of our guys in San Francisco hide salami in their pockets but being a dainty soul, I never frequent those places and I cannot verify that statement!

[GitteK]

Does the "dainty soul" thing mean that I must cancel your seat at the 13th Sept. cultural evening event ??

(you asked for that one, framboisie !! ;D ;D )

[framboiseetrose]

Gitte,

The dainty soul stays at home!!!! ;D ;D

The adventurous framboisie will be hooting it up with the rest of the gals on September 13th! (Yes, I did open myself up at that one! - can't get anything past you, Gitte. You're marvelous!)

[Jody]

Will someone please tell me what hidden pollutants you can hide in a pair of swim trunks. I know nothing even an euro could be hidden in a speedo...shoot you can even tell the date it was minted!