Okay, so maybe you didn’t come to Paris to go swimming (and we didn’t get to the pool on this trip), but you also didn’t come to Paris to sleep, sit on the metro, and lots of other daily necessities, but sometimes you need to take a break from sightseeing.

Luckily I also spend a lot of time in Paris with my friend’s kids and we do usually find the time to hit the pool and this is a great one for kids and adults.

Not only is there a big pool for serious swimming and diving, there are also water slides, rapids, a baby pool, and, my favourite, the open air bit.  In the winter I love to swim out here and watch the steam rise off the water while looking at the Parisian rooftops, in the summer it’s perfect if you can find an empty lounger and lie back for a few rays while the kids splash around.

Paris has some fantastic pools, often with open air relaxation areas, so if this one is a little bit far for you, ask at your hotel to see which is the local one.

My only warning (apart from make sure you bring your sun cream) is that these might be a bit tricky if you don’t speak any French - but hey it’s always worth a go!

The lockers take a code, so you have to think of one, input it, then remember both the number of your locker and the code!  Apart from that it’s pretty much the same as your regular pool - although they don’t allow swim shorts - men have to wear proper swimmies and you are requested to wear a swimming cap in the big pool.

On the upside if you don’t have any of these they sell swimming costumes etc. in a big vending machine in the lobby, so you can go for a splash even if you haven’t come properly prepared!