La Piscine Suzanne Berlioux

Our visit last time to La Piscine Josephine Baker went so, ehh, swimmingly, I thought we'd try it again. This time we chose La Piscine Suzanne Berlioux, named after a former coach of the French women's Olympic swimming team.


La Piscine Suzanne Berlioux is located in Les Halles, in the underground shopping center near the cineplex. The pool is an olympic size 8 laner with 5 lanes dedicated to serious lap swimming and 3 lanes given to recreational use; the pool complex is massive, with super high, scallop-arched cielings and a rather curious crescent shaped patio/lounge area trying to serve as a tropical jungle simulacrum.

Having already run afoul of the Speedo police, I was sure to check ahead to find out whether the Birdwells I'd brought along would be suitable. I was informed that indeed they would not be suitable, which meant a stop off at Decathalon sporting goods for a cheap pair of Daniel Craigs. Ego, gut and adequate sense of shame prevent me from showing a pic of myself in my new boxer Speedos. The term "muffin top" pretty much nails it, though.

Sadly, the water was a bit chilly for Nik's taste. He preferred to hang out by the ladder and play around with styrofoam kickboards.