A municipal swimming pool in the heart of the forest: there’s something rather special about it. The Piscine de la Faisanderie, on Route de l’Ermitage, stands in the middle of a one-hectare wooded area, at the heart of the sports complex of the same name. In summer, when you spread your towel out on the lawn outside, you can hear the birds more clearly than the noise from the diving boards. The building’s architecture, designed by Hay, features in the 'remarkable contemporary architecture» database — a heritage detail one appreciates whilst looking up between two lengths of the pool.
Two indoor swimming pools and a large garden in the summer
Le large sports pool is 25m by 15m, with six swimming lanes and depths ranging from 1.95m to 3.30m. A real swimming pool, where you can count the lengths without cheating. Visit small leisure pool Measuring 20 m by 8 m, with depths ranging from 90 cm to 1.45 m, and featuring a spa area, a waterfall and a water jet: this is where young swimmers learn to swim and where babies can splash about safely. The’outdoor space, The park, which is open in season, includes a large sunbathing lawn, a volleyball court, a high ropes course and a children's play area.
Fitness and well-being for adults
A cardio-fitness area reserved for adults (treadmills, bikes, rowing machines) and a sauna-hammam complement the pools. For those who want to alternate between swimming lengths and recovery breaks without changing location, this is a real bonus. As for classes: baby swimming, water play, swimming for children and adults, aqua aerobics, aquabike (depending on the time slot), antenatal sessions and support for those with a fear of water. The range of activities on offer is more extensive than at your average local swimming pool.
The right slots for a leisurely swim
As everywhere else, weekday evenings between 5pm and 8pm, as well as Wednesday afternoons and Saturday afternoons, are the peak times. If you're looking for a really sporty swim without the traffic jams, aim for the weekday mornings, excluding school holidays or certain mid-day slots. The detailed schedule (open swim/clubs/courses) is updated on the official website.
Practice
Bathing cap and close-fitting swimming costume compulsory (no swimming shorts), shower with soap before the pools. Easy access by car, parking on site in the sports complex. Prices for individual entry, 10-entry cards and season tickets, to be checked at piscinefaisanderie.fr or 01 60 74 54 70.
