The size of the pools is limited (here at the Jules-Verne pool). - F.Brenon / 20Minutes

  • The reception gauge will be limited to 20% of the usual capacity.
  • Swimming time will be limited to 1h15.
  • The slides and rivers will be closed. Boards, buoys and toys prohibited. 

The stage is awaited by athletes and families. Three months after their closure and five weeks after the first phase of deconfinement, four of the six Nantes swimming pools reopen their doors to the public this Monday (Jules-Verne, Léo-Lagrange, Petite-Amazonie and Dervallières). Yes, but there it is, you still have to be resolutely motivated to go for a dip in the coming days. Because the health protocol aimed at preventing any spread of the coronavirus is very strict, "not at all simple to set up", recognizes the town hall.

The concern does not come from the water. “We are in the high chlorine range, which allows good disinfection,” reassures Philippe Loriette, basin manager at Jules-Verne. The fear of viral transmission lies rather in the proximity of swimmers who breathe hard and expel droplets.

Access to Nantes swimming pools is restrictive but less expensive (here at the Jules-Verne swimming pool). - F.Brenon / 20Minutes

Limited gauge and reduced swimming time

Consequently, the reception gauge will be limited to 20% of the capacity of each swimming pool. For Jules-Verne, for example, there will be no more than 100 people at the same time within the building, against 600 usually. To ensure this, a screen above the counter will display attendance in real time. "We have not set up a reservation system so as not to leave users aside," said Ali Rebouh, deputy mayor. Depending on how it goes, we could possibly test it. Once inside, the use of each pool is itself limited. The slides, rivers and spas are closed.

Another restriction: the swimming time will be capped at 1h15. We can not cut it since the city has scheduled sessions of two hours, at fixed times, which take into account a thorough cleaning of the premises.

One euro entry until September

If the wearing of the compulsory mask even in the changing rooms, the creation of traffic directions and the neutralization of certain cabins will not necessarily surprise the public, other constraints are also to be taken into account: prohibition to bring your own cleaning products, soaping of the body compulsory controlled by an agent, cap recommended, no accessories authorized (no board, no buoy, no toy) except glasses and armbands.

Only lockers and cabins with a green sticker are accessible (here at the Jules-Verne swimming pool). - F.Brenon / 20Minutes

The only consolation prize, the city of Nantes has decided to apply "exceptional" rates until September 6: one euro for everyone against 2.70 euros to 4.50 euros usually.

"We are thinking about why not reopen the swimming pool of the Durantière [usually closed in summer] if we manage to recruit enough people, and in particular lifeguards who are professions in tension", says Ali Rebouh. On the other hand, the Petit Port swimming pool will remain closed until November due to work.

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In Bouguenais and Carquefou too

Outside Nantes, the Daniel-Gilard de Carquefou swimming pool is also accessible after having previously reserved a time slot on the Internet. Same protocol for the Bouguenais municipal swimming pool from Wednesday.

  • Swimming
  • Covid 19
  • Swimming pool
  • Nantes
  • Deconfinement
  • Coronavirus