Butte-aux-Cailles Swimming Pool

Swimming here is not the same as swimming in America period. The people are warm and kind but there's no pattern to this swimming. The lanes are packed. Easy storage for lockers free.

Very good place to swim but need to be aware that they won’t accept the loose shorts

It was a nice experience for us. 3 swimming pools, 2 outside and 1 inside. It cost 3 euros for adults and 2.5 for kids. However you must have: 1- swimming cap. We didn’t have so we bought it there, quite cheap also 2- they won’t let you in with loose swim suit. Boys/men must wear jersey. They are about 11-14 euro. Staff were super helpful and nice to us.

Horrible experience. Hours not as advertised. Some staff were helpful, others were obstructive to the point that we never got to swim in the end. I was refused a refund when we left, and with a series of miscommunications and mismanagement, there was much frustration and tears. And why do you have to wear tiny swimsuits to swim here? There is no scientific basis to it being hygiene-related. If I could give this place minus 5 stars, I would.

Large public bath with indoor and outdoor pools. Not very clean. Beware that they only allow short swim trunks for men. Mine were apparently too long, so I got kicked out immediately unless I agreed to buy a conforming pair at the reception. I politely refused, and left.

It was a good pool pre-Covid but as soon as covid restrictions are lifted and it's supposed to reopen the staff goes on strike and close it! Nowhere it was written or noticed that it would be on strike. Saw tons of people go and just realize it's not open when in front of the door. Unacceptable. Run away from this pool.

ATTENTION TOURISTS. If you go to any french swimming pool male swimmers have to wear a speedo. Swimming shorts are forbidden. And the staff here will not let you swim if you don’t have a speedo. Also you must have a swimming cap to enter. This is a lovely place with nice staff but I wish it were mad clear that this is a strict policy by staff before I paid as it is obvious I was a tourist and not familiar with this policy. Despite this I would recommend the pool.

Outdoor pools are always a draw (and they have two here - a 25 and 10 m) but what really impressed me was the indoor pool. The indoor pool (33 m) had the feeling of being light, airy, and almost ethereal. The lanes had minimal rules, compared to other piscines, only the fast lane prohibited brasse. The other lanes were self regulating but I found had inconsistent speeds. The two outer lanes are free lanes so if the inconsistent speed of the other lane swimmers address throwing you off then you have options. The change room was large, spacious, co-ed, and had a layout sightly like a prison (you have to see it to know what I mean). The showers are co-ed but there are individual showers on the side, check the water pressure before you commit to one though. Lockers require a 1€ coin, but hair dryers are free.