Europe is heating up. Summer temperatures have finally arrived, bringing with it blue skies and sunshine. Green spaces look like festival grounds, farmer’s markets are bustling and the streets are packed with happy pedestrians. However, finding public spaces to cool down can be difficult, especially in large urban areas.
While the Right Bank of Paris’ Seine River gets turned into temporary beaches, it does not provide relief from the searing summer heat. Even more frustrating is the fact that Paris has a body of water running through the city center. Although it is not possible to swim in the Seine, it is possible to swim on it.
Image Courtesy of Secrets of Paris
The Piscine Josephine Baker is a glass-walled swimming pool that has been built on a barge docked on the banks of the Seine. The pool provides residents the ability to cool off in an architecturally stunning facility inspired by The Jetsons. Furthermore, the pool uses efficient water management procedures. Water from the Seine is collected and treated at Piscine Josephine Baker. It is then chlorinated and stored for use. Water is eventually returned to the river following a final treatment.
While many Parisians flock to the Mediterranean to escape
the summer heat, Piscine Josephine Baker is providing an alternative way to cool
off without actually leaving the city.
Left Image Courtesy of Ma Vie a Paris, Right Image Courtesy of Paris.fr