Imagine a wave machine churning, children laughing. That was the Ancienne piscine Lutetia in its heyday. Now, let’s dive into its story.
The Ancienne piscine Lutetia is not just another pretty building. It’s a piece of Parisian history. This former swimming pool sits at 17 rue de Sèvres in the 6th arrondissement.
Lucien Béguet designed the pool. Construction finished in 1935. Its Art Deco style made it stand out. Green granito floors met blue, black and gold Briare enamel decorations on the walls.
Originally, the Ancienne piscine Lutetia served the Hotel Lutetia next door as a private pool. But in 1940, the Gestapo requisitioned the hotel during the occupation of Paris. After the liberation, General de Gaulle transformed the pool into a welcoming center. It housed survivors of Nazi concentration camps. Later, it became a public pool.
The pool had artificial waves. It measured 33 meters long and 10 meters wide. Sadly, the Ancienne piscine Lutetia closed to the public in the 1970s. For 20 years, it became a storage space for the Dorothée Bis clothing brand until 1998.
In 2005, the mayor of the 6th arrondissement wanted to reopen the Ancienne piscine Lutetia. But his request was unsuccessful. Fortunately, in that same year, the building was registered as a historical monument.
Since 2010, the Ancienne piscine Lutetia has housed a concept store. The luxury brand Hermès chose this unique space. Inside, three huge huts create an unusual shopping experience. These huts rise over 9 meters high. They are made of woven ash wood strips. The store covers 1,500 square meters.
The original pool area has transformed. The diving board is now a tea room. Here, you can sip fine teas in cast iron teapots.
The Ancienne piscine Lutetia has certainly lived many lives. From private pool to refuge to luxury store, it continues to evolve. Its walls could tell so many stories. Next time you pass by, remember its waves and its history.