Paris is a magnificent city bursting with things to see and do. There are so many monuments, activities, events, shops, etc. that you won't know where to turn during your stay! That's why we've put together the Urban Bivouac Paris City Guide, to help you discover our magnificent city.

We've put together a guide full of tips, good ideas and useful addresses to help you discover lots of things in our district and, more generally, in Paris. This guide will also give you lots of tips on how to navigate this lively city.

Piscine Joséphine-Baker

Piscine Joséphine-Baker

Categories : City Guide, published on : 2/13/25

We have already mentioned the wonderful Piscine de la Butte-aux-Cailles in our guide. You should know that the 13th arrondissement is quite well-equipped in this regard, and among the exceptional pools, let us introduce you to the Piscine Joséphine-Baker, which you can reach in just a few minutes on foot, by metro, bus, or bike from the Urban Bivouac Hotel.

A floating pool on the Seine

Discover Piscine Joséphine-Baker, a floating pool moored at the Quai François Mauriac in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. Here, you can technically swim in the Seine—or rather, on the Seine! On sunny days, a swim in the pool's basin under the bright sunlight is truly worth its weight in gold.

Named after the legendary dancer Josephine Baker, this pool exudes glamour. Like its namesake, it is both brilliant and unique, offering the possibility to swim on the first floor and sunbathe on the terrace. And like Baker, it is known for its topless allure (although bikini tops are officially supposed to stay on).

Swimming on the Seine in the 13th arrondissement

The impressive floating structure, made of glass and steel by architect Robert de Busni, is much more than just a swimming pool—it’s almost a small aquatic center. The 25-meter by 10-meter pool (with a retractable glass roof) is complemented by gym facilities, a jacuzzi, a hammam, a sauna, and a solarium. It also features a 50-square-meter paddling pool for children and a pleasant entrance hall with Wi-Fi for parents who want to keep an eye on their kids without having to enter the center themselves. The late opening hours are also a big plus.

Inaugurated the same year as Paris Plage, the Piscine Joséphine-Baker is so popular during sunny days, Wednesdays, and weekends that it’s better to avoid peak hours. Fortunately, there is a small café where you can wait with a drink and watch Parisians go by.

Are floating pools a Parisian tradition?

Floating pools are not a new phenomenon on the Seine. The first one appeared in 1796, and many others attracted crowds over the next 200 years. However, Parisian floating pools were historically as disastrous as they were popular: prone to fires, collisions with boats, and unexplained sinkings. The second-to-last floating pool sank into the river in 1993, leaving Parisians without a floating pool for 13 years—until Josephine’s arrival.

The opening of Piscine Joséphine-Baker in 2006 coincided with the installation of tons of white sand to create beaches along the quay, an event that has since become an annual tradition: Paris Plage. The pool almost succumbed to a fire the same winter, but unlike its predecessors, it benefited from clever engineering.

Practical information

  • Address: Quai François Mauriac 75013 Paris
  • Price: Entry €4; in summer €6.50
  • Opening hours: Hours vary depending on the season. Check with the hotel reception.
    Typically during the year: Monday from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM and then from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Tuesday from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Thursday from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM – Wednesday and Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM and then from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Saturday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
    Every Thursday of the year until 11:00 PM; Monday to Friday in summer, until 11:00 PM.
  • Accessible for people with disabilities
  • Phone: 01 56 61 96 50
  • Website: www.piscine-baker.fr
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