Baignade biologique, Natural swimming pool in La Chapelle-Saint-Sauveur, France.
This biological swimming facility features a 2000-square-meter natural pool with a 1300-square-meter swimming area, using plant-based filtration systems instead of chemical treatments to maintain water quality through gravel filters and aquatic vegetation.
The project was initiated in 2004-2005 following studies on environmental restoration of the Ranche stream banks, opening to the public in 2008 as one of Burgundy's first natural swimming pools and winning the gold distinction at the Landscape Victories in 2010.
This facility represents an innovative approach to recreational swimming that emphasizes environmental harmony and sustainable tourism, demonstrating how local communities can create leisure spaces that respect natural ecosystems while providing public access to clean water activities.
The facility operates seasonally from May to September with supervised swimming Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 to 18:30, though access has been restricted since 2019 due to safety regulations following a fatal incident that highlighted the need for lifeguard supervision.
The water undergoes complete renewal every 27 hours through a closed-loop system where skimmers collect water, filter it through graduated gravel zones, purify it with aquatic plants, and reintroduce it with oxygenating jets for both circulation and recreational features.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
