Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Swimming Pools
There are more than 30 municipal swimming pools
sprinkled around Paris. They are well maintained, and many
are quite attractive. Swimming is one of the most accessible
sports and pools are crowded year round. This means that
most pools are heavily chlorinated, so to keep bathing suits
from falling apart too quickly, you should rinse them out
thoroughly after each use.Men must wear trunks, not boxer
bathing suits, and in theory women must wear a one-piece
suit, although this rule is sometimes broken. A swimming
cap is required for both sexes.
During the school year, students have priority and pools
are closed to the public, except for a few hours early in the
morning, during lunchtime and in the evenings. Inquire at
your pool for its schedule, especially during vacations when
public access is increased. In the public pools, check how your
clothes and valuables will be kept, because some facilities are
more secure than others.
You may buy a single-day entry, but a 10-visit card or a
three-month pass is more economical and allows access
to any public pool. Inexpensive, this is one of the true
bargains of Paris. Ask for the foldout card Nager á Paris ,
which lists all the public pools. See Piscines (établissements)
in the Yellow Pages . Also, for a treat, visit the brand new
Piscine Joséphine Baker, which floats in the Seine just
below the Bibliothèque Nationale, off Quai François
Mauriac. The pool is large enough to accommodate some
500 swimmers and has a retractable glass roof over its
man-made 'beach'.
Golf
Golf is increasingly popular in France, but it is expensive,
especially on weekends. To play golf regularly or to obtain a
handicap, you must have a permit, which may be issued on
a daily, trimester or annual basis. Inquire at the Fédération
Française de Golf at 68 rue Anatole-France, 92309 Levallois-
Perret cedex (tel: 01.41.49.77.00; website: http://www.ffg.
org). Ask also for information about golf tournaments in the
Paris area.
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