PISCINE MOLITOR 1929-1987

An iconic place. You didn’t go there just to swim; you went there to be seen

Piscine Molitor was built by Lucien Pollet in 1929 and inaugurated by Olympians Johnny Weisman (who would later go on to play Tarzan) and Aileen Riggin-Soule.

Lucien Pollet designed the pool in the Art Deco style and built it to resemble an ocean liner, transporting its patrons to a glamorous sea voyage instead of Paris’ 16th arrondissement. The original structure was painted a vibrant yellow, the water so clear that you could see the aqua blue mosaic tile at the base of the two pools, one indoor and one outdoor.

The public pool quickly became a chic gathering space in Paris, hosting fashion shows, theatrical performances, and when it was too cold in the winter to swim outside, the outdoor pool would be transformed into an ice-skating rink.