From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Piscine Molitor
Piscine Molitor
Piscine Molitor also hosted bathing facilities, as many French homes did
not have their own bathrooms.[3] Piscine Molitor was
built in 1929 by architect Lucien Pollet, who was working
for Les Belles Piscines de France and had designed three
other pool complexes. It was designed to resemble an
ocean liner and was adorned with Art Deco stained glass
by Louis Barillet. In the summer of 1929, Olympic athlete
Johnny Weismuller, who was a lifeguard in his spare
time, officially opened Piscine Molitor. The pool often
housed fashion shows, theatrical performances, and
training for figure skating. In 1946, the unveiling of the
first modern bikini, designed by Louis Réard, was held
After closing in 1989, Piscine Molitor has been targeted by
graffiti artists and vandals. at Piscine Molitor,[1] modelled by the Parisian Micheline
Bernardini during a fashion show at the pool.[4] The es-
Coordinates: 48°50′43″N 2°15′10″E / 48.8451444°N tablishment originally comprised two pools, one indoor
2.25286944°E / 48.8451444; 2.25286944
and the other outdoor, arranged in a T-shape. The com-
Address 4 Rue Nungesser et Coli, 75016 Paris, France plex was used as an ice-skating rink until the early 1970s.
The complex ultimately closed in 1989.[2]
Opened 1929
The complex was the only building with two pools
Closed 1989 built by Pollet, inspired by the work of architect Robert
Architect Lucien Pollet Mallet-Stevens. Pollet also worked with master glass-
maker Louis Barillet, who created the Art Deco stained
Type One open-air pool, one covered pool glass windows adorning the pool complex. It had a con-
Former les Piscines Auteuil-Molitor, les Grands ventional 33-metre (108 ft) long covered pool and an
names établissements balnéaires d’Auteuil Olympic-level 50-metre (160 ft) long open-air pool. The
open-air pool was turned into ice and used as a skating
Status Monument historique
rink until the 1970s, and was surrounded by three levels
Length 33 metres (108 ft) indoor, 50 metres (160 ft) of cabins, resembling a large ship. The complex also in-
outdoor cluded a fitness room. Pollet called the complex "les
Grands Établissements Balnéaires d’Auteuil" (the Great
Piscine Molitor (also known as the Piscines Auteuil-Moli- Seaside Establishment of Auteuil) because the complex
d’Auteuil)
tor or the Grands établissements balnéaires d’Auteuil is was the site of various sporting events at the time, par-
an abandoned swimming pool complex located in Porte ticularly on the outdoor pool, which was lined with sand.
Molitor, 16th arrondissement of Paris, Île-de-France, Architect Marc Mimram recently began a restoration
Paris, France. It is next to the park Bois de Boulogne, and project for the pool complex.[3]
between Stade Roland Garros and Parc des Princes. The
complex was built in 1929 and inaugurated by Olympic Building controversies
swimmers Aileen Riggin Soule and Johnny Weissmuller.
In 1989, a housing project was proposed to the City of
The pool is known for its Art Deco designs and the pop-
Paris. The project was advanced by the city and called
ular introduction of the bikini by Louis Réard on July 5,
for the destruction of the pool and its rebuilding as part
1946.[1] The pool was classified as a French monument
of a hotel, with the rest of the original pool complex be-
historique on March 27, 1990, after having fallen into dis-
ing turned into a parking lot. On August 31, 1989, the
use and closing in 1989.[2]
pool was permanently closed. The next day, the facade
and main entrance were boarded up. A group of citizens
History founded the "SOS Molitor", trying to prevent the pool’s
From around 1920–1930, Paris saw the construction of destruction. They were successful the next year, with the
numerous new public swimming pools, although the de- entire pool complex being listed in the inventory of the
velopment of aquatic recreation in France still lagged be- French Monuments Historiques program (and, as a re-
hind Great Britain and Germany. However, public pools sult, protected by the French government). However, al-
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Piscine Molitor
though saved from impending demolition, the complex [2] ^ "Monuments historiques ; Label XXe" (in French).
experienced damage from weather, poor maintenance, Monuments historiques. 1992.
and even vandalism (mainly to its historic Art Deco http://www.culture.gouv.fr/public/mistral/
decor) after being protected. merimee_fr?ACTION=RETROUVER&FIELD_1=cmer1&VALUE_1=pa
Various other housing projects were also stopped by Retrieved 2010-01-31.
the French Ministry of Culture, with their final decision [3] ^ "Architecture et sport en France 1918-1945 : une
on August 5, 2000 revoking the construction permit orig- histoire politique et culturelle" (in French).
inally granted by the City of Paris.[5] After SOS Molitor Docomomo International. http://www2.archi.fr/
gained ownership to the complex, a new organization DOCOMOMO-FR/sport-paris.htm. Retrieved
called Piscines Molitor was created to obtain funding for 2010-01-31.
the rehabilitation and reopening of Piscine Molitor. The [4] Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader. New York: St. Martin’s
organization has appealed to the administrative court of Press. 1988. p. 85. ISBN 0-312-02663-3.
Paris. http://books.google.com/
books?id=MfOqWgzMNccC&pg=PT86&dq=%22piscine+molitor%22
Future Retrieved 2010-02-01.
In August 2007, the Mayor of Paris began to accept appli- [5] "Avis défavorable au permis de démolir la piscine
cations for the renovation of Piscine Molitor. On Novem- Molitor" (in French). culture.gouv.fr. 5 August
ber 20, 2007, it was announced that three different 2000. http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/
groups were competing for the role of renovating the actualites/communiq/molitor.htm. Retrieved
pool complex, Colony Capital, ICADE, and GTM Construc- 2010-02-01.
tion. The mayor, Bertrand Delanoë, called for the revival [6] Chessa, Milena (20 November 2007). "Réhabilitation
of the complex without spending taxpayer money.[6] On de la piscine Molitor : trois groupements en lice"
October 30, 2008, Delanoë announced that the group (in French). LeMoniteur.fr.
Colony Capital-Accor-Bouygues had been chosen for the http://www.lemoniteur-expert.com/actualite/
project, with architects Jasques Rougerie, Alain Derbesse, architecture_maitrise_oeuvre/
and Alain-Charles Perrot. The group is planning for a rehabilitation_piscine_molitor_trois_groupements/
2012 reopening of the complex. The €64.8 million project DD248BB81.htm. Retrieved 2010-02-02.
would lease the property for 54 years and is to include a [7] "La piscine Molitor à flot en 2012" (in French).
4-star hotel, a health center, and a medical center, as well Paris.fr. 4 November 2008. http://www.paris.fr/
as retail, restaurants, and parking facilities.[7] portail/Sport/
Portal.lut?page_id=152&document_type_id=2&document_id=6125
Retrieved 2010-02-02.
References This article incorporates information from this version of
[1] ^ "This Day in History 1946: Bikini introduced". the equivalent article on the French Wikipedia.
A&E Television Networks.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-
history.do?action=VideoArticle&id=6949. Retrieved
External links
2010-01-31. • Legacy of Piscine Molitor
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piscine_Molitor"
Categories: Buildings and structures in Paris, Art Deco buildings in France
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