Try the Web App

Piscine du Rhône

Discover cities like never before.

Enjoy over self-guided city exploration with our app ‘Explory’. Learn all about the history and discover hidden more than 500.000 hidden gems, that only locals know about. Build custom tours, find nearby places, and start exploring instantly.

Try the Web App

What if a swimming pool could tell tales of Olympic dreams and political battles? Right here, before you, lies the Piscine du Rhône, now known as the Centre Nautique Tony Bertrand. This isn’t just any swimming pool. It’s a stage where history unfolded, a testament to Lyon’s ambition and a reflection of its community. The Piscine du Rhône first graced the banks of its namesake river in 1965. Lyon’s own architect, Alexandre Audouze-Tabourin, designed this grand structure. Its creation was spurred by a national push for sports facilities and Lyon’s bid for the 1968 Summer Olympics. Imagine the anticipation, the hopes of hosting Olympic swimmers in these very waters. Sadly, Lyon lost the bid, but the Piscine du Rhône remained, a shimmering symbol of what could have been. The pool has undergone significant transformations over the years. Renovations in 2012 and 2013 brought modern leisure facilities. A playful bassin with bubble benches, a thrilling pentagliss slide, and a lazy river were added. However, this period was also marked by clashes between eager swimmers and security due to overcrowding and long wait times. The Piscine du Rhône’s story also includes a political splash. In 2014, the city council voted to increase the entrance fee by a staggering 135%, sparking public outcry, petitions, and protests. This decision even led to the pool being dubbed “the most expensive in France” by some media outlets. In 2015, the Piscine du Rhône was renamed to honor Tony Bertrand, a prominent local politician and sports advocate. Today, the Centre Nautique Tony Bertrand stands as a vibrant hub for both families and athletes. Its Olympic-sized pool and leisure facilities offer something for everyone. It’s a place where you can swim laps with a view of the Grand Hôtel-Dieu, splash around with your children, or simply relax and soak in the lively atmosphere. This pool is more than just a place to cool off. It’s a living piece of Lyon’s history, a place where dreams were forged, battles were fought, and community was built.

After discovering the story of Piscine du Rhône in Lyon, you may wonder how to explore even more of what this vibrant destination has to offer. Explory makes it simple: our digital guide gives you instant access to the city’s culture, history, and unique atmosphere. With our interactive city guide, you can uncover the background of Lyon while following engaging routes designed for curious travelers. Whether you’re on a short trip or staying longer, Explory transforms your visit into a personalized city tour that connects stories with places in an intuitive way. Explory is more than just an ordinary travel tool – it is your companion for deeper exploration of Lyon. Each guide combines expert storytelling with easy navigation, allowing you to discover well-known highlights and hidden gems that most visitors overlook. With the city guide, you can plan your route across landmarks, neighborhoods, and cultural spots, all enriched by immersive audio storytelling. Our audio guide brings the atmosphere of Lyon directly to your ears, making each step of your journey more meaningful. Whether you are passionate about art, architecture, history, or everyday culture, Explory helps you connect with the spirit of Lyon. The carefully curated guide highlights what makes this city special, while the interactive city tour lets you explore on your own terms. Thanks to our focus on exploration and unique hidden gems, you’ll enjoy a travel experience that goes far beyond traditional sightseeing. Explory turns every visit into a memorable adventure where stories and places come alive. Download the Explory App now to continue your journey beyond Lyon. Inside the app, you’ll find over 300 cities and more than 500,000 POIs and stories waiting for you. Whether you are searching for a smart audio guide, planning your next city tour, or simply looking for inspiration through a rich guide, Explory is your key to exploring the world differently. Start today and unlock the full potential of Lyon with Explory – your ultimate travel companion.

More Places in Lyon

Yeusefiya Cemetery

Were these once vibrant lives, now commemorated beneath our feet? We stand before the Yeusefiya Cemetery, a place where history

Explore

耿辛庄桥

Across the Jiuduhe River stands the majestic Luoshen Bridge. Its elegant arches whisper tales of emperors and dynasties. Luoshen Bridge

Explore

Zion Baptist Church

Founded in 1882 Zion Baptist Church stands proudly in Philadelphia. It’s a testament to faith resilience and community. This wasn’t

Explore

Boat house

The clean lines and simple elegance of the Bauhaus movement are all around us here in Tel Aviv. And yet,

Explore