Rule 1: No mercy! - There's no concept of swimming in lanes in this country. It's a free for all in whatever direction you like. Today, I got kicked in the boob by this old lady and she just turned and asked if I'd move? I looked over to the Sens de la Nage or Direction to swim and this woman was obviously going the wrong way!
Rule 2: Be prepared to see old men wearing speedos. *shudder*
Rule 3: Must wear swimming cap. Ok, I can appreciate this rule because chlorine is terrible for your hair. I get a kick out of the people who don't know how to put on a swim cap and you see if just sitting on top of their head with all their hair practically hanging out. So much for the swim cap rule. I did once see a bald guy get stopped and told that he had to go and put on a swim cap before entering the pool.
Rule 4: The dressing area is unisex. This doesn't bother me so much but the little boys who were runnning up and down the dressing area popping their heads under the dressing room doors did bother me just little bit.
If anyone else has experience the French public pool, please feel free to add on to this list. :)
lol
i've gotten addicted to my public pool, go there a lot but i guess it really depends on the pool and how its run.
ours is outside (there is an inside one but its for the kiddies) but heated and most people are not too annoying when they swim.
i accidently kicked someone sometimes (it happens!) but the woman looked at me as if i meant to! crazy.
about the little peeping toms mite because todays wednesday and the kiddies are out of school...
i always think the old men with badly placed swim caps look like they've got condoms perched on their heads... *lol*
keep us updated on your swimming experiences ;)
Posted by: karina | January 25, 2006 at 19:03
Sweet Pickle Jesus! That place sounds awful. If I were you, I'd steal two or three links from the plastic lane line, throw them in my bathtub, and never leave the house for swimming again.
Posted by: ben | January 25, 2006 at 19:40
Flare,
Kicked in the boob...ouch! Sounds like a fun experience indeed.
My father-in-law actually works for one of the city pools in the Lille area. He has quite a few interesting stories too. Let's just say some people think it is a bathtub rather than a pool!
Posted by: D | January 25, 2006 at 21:56
I would make a note to myself to avoid public pools in France but then that wouldn't be necessary. I gave up on public pools in elementary school. They always give me an ear or throat infection.
Posted by: Dagny | January 26, 2006 at 05:53
Brrr - it's always so freezing cold... don't these people know that it is possible to heat the water??
Posted by: Sammy | January 26, 2006 at 13:25
Oh, YAY!!! You're back!!! :D
I know nothing about public swimming pools in France, but I just wanted to let you know I'm glad to have you back blogging away. Fun times!
Posted by: joygoddess | January 26, 2006 at 19:59
Also, not forgetting public French swimming pools are f-f-f-freeeeezing.
The main pool here is usually around 28°, and I have been in it at 25°. Even the kids pool struggles to make 29° sometimes.
And yes, no bermudas!! Or else.
Posted by: Andre Veloux | January 30, 2006 at 09:41
i need a swim cap. my hair get so out of control after being in a pool.
Hi Flare!
Posted by: Loonachic | February 06, 2006 at 14:47
At Aquaboulevard, I think the creedo for men and boys was "Do it the Speedo way, or go away!"
I'm not sure if the "Speedo" only rule is for hygiene purposes or to keep out some non-pure French.
I did go into the piscine with my brand new "Speedos" that I bought at the local sporting goods store. I lined up at the waterslides with all the other good "Speedometric" men and boys. The women and girls had on their one or two piece swimsuits.
At least I didn't have to wear a bathing cap.
In some other European pools, I did notice several men, women, boys, and girls hiking up their teensy-weensy swimsuits to make instant-thongs just before they would go down the waterslides. Even moms were hiking up their sons' swimsuits for the need to speed.
Oh yes, the cubicles at some co-ed changing facilities are meant for modest people. I did see some families changing right by the lockers. Even the segregated showers didn't stop the cleaning lady from hosin' down the men's area.
Posted by: Ehr Canada | February 26, 2006 at 15:56
I love this blog.. I've lived in France for a year but never actually went in a public pool there; however I'm about to leave for France to visit some friends and I'm almost certain a pool is on the agenda. I'm wondering whether to buy my stuff in the states or just wait for France.??. This blog brings back strange memories of my trips anywhere in public there!!
Posted by: Derek | July 14, 2009 at 04:47