Swimming in Paris is a full-on cultural experience, offering intimate
views into the French psyche, which is on near-naked display in the
swimming lanes, locker rooms and (mostly coed) showers.
From today's NY Times. It's a gift article, so there should not be a paywall.
That was an interesting insight into everyday life. But what struck me the most was reading the comments section of the article and in particular, this one.
Journalists, stop writing about Paris. The tourists make it more
intolerable by the year, as they are essentially clueless to the
culture, litter the ground, do not discipline their children and form
queues so long, that no local Parisian (someone who works and is on a
schedule) can visit the monuments and museums, and tourists make any
commute a misery.It's a city. It's not "la vie en rose". People work and live in
Paris. No one makes money from tourists except hotels, museums and
tourist restaurants.Sure, the French swim, but only those who can afford it because it's
expensive.Tourists, try stay-cations in the future, visit parts of your
continent you've never seen, inflict yourself on anywhere but France.
It makes me wonder if Parisians want us invading their everyday lifestyles. Or is this that one Parisian that gives us the stereotype of the rude French?
That is a fun read. Thank you!
My husband is a swimmer and enjoys visiting public pools when we travel. Only once in France, in Chamonix, and he did not care for the chaos. Nor did he like the “Speedos only” rile (he swims in longer “jammers”. )
His favorite pool so far is Piscina di Sacca Fisola in Venice (Giudecca), with a wall of windows looking out to the lagoon.
https://www.rarinantesvenezia.it/
My favorite is the outdoor Andrew Boy Charlton pool in Sydney, Australia, right on the harbor. I joined him in swimming there, although I had a bit of trouble with the 50-meter length.
Allan - I understand that sentiment but why on Earth is Paris hosting the Olympics if they don't want as many tourists?
"as they are essentially clueless to the culture, litter the ground"
Allan, I had to laugh at this sentence in the comment you quoted. MOST of the "litter" I see on the ground in Paris is dog poop which is from local Parisian dogs, not imported tourist dogs, hahaha!
I'm not a swimmer but I was enchanted by the pool at Saint-Malo! It's tidal so when the tide is completely in only the diving board sticks out above the water. Very weird looking.
the St. Malo pool is amazing -- when we arrived, we too only saw the diving board sticking up above the water; alas it was too early to swim when we were there. You can see a snapshot here.
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2020/11/24/all-the-light-we-can-see-st-malo/
In Paris there is an ancient public pool in the Butte Aux Cailles at Place Verlaine. Big outdoor pool and indoor pool for swimming summer or winter.
And of course there is the floating pool on the Seine. Josephine Baker.
I had to laugh at this sentence in the comment you quoted. MOST of the
"litter" I see on the ground in Paris is dog poop which is from local
Parisian dogs, not imported tourist dogs, hahaha!
I did too. Our guide on our RS tour in 2019-who is French, specifically brought this issue up that people in Paris aren't known for picking up after their dogs. She called them land mines.
"She called them land mines."
Funny...my Best of Paris guide referred to them as "tutu poopoo" and her voice always runs thru my mind in Paris just like I still have in the ear buds from the whisperset, hahaha!
In the last few years I have noticed much less dog poop and seen a lot more owners picking up -- and one of the great public services available to Parisians is pick up of junk -- if you have an old mattress or furniture or other large junk to big for the trash pick up, you set it out and notify the maire and it is gone the next day.
Allan, i don’t think that Parisian was being rude. Just so tired of rude, clueless tourists. Very understandable.
When i visit i see lots of rude tourists… not Parisians. That’s a very worn out myth.
Susan, I didn't say she was rude (perhaps grumpy) I was merely suggesting that's the attitude that lends to the stereotype.
Before taking the plunge, check local rules. Men sometimes can't wear floppy surfboard shorts; it must be the Jockey style. And caps may be required for both genders.
As to "near-naked display", several pools and clubs offer time for naked swimming.
Google will tell you where.
“is this that one Parisian that gives us the stereotype of the rude French?”
I think this promotes the myth.
