Piscine Molitor

When the Piscine Molitor first opened its doors in the summer of 1929, the city of Paris hailed it as a marvel of modern leisure. Architect Lucien Pollet designed the complex to mirror a grand ocean liner, complete with three levels of cabins, porthole windows, and a striking facade painted in a vibrant shade known as tango yellow. The site even featured an outdoor Olympic-sized pool that could be transformed into a massive ice-skating rink during the winter months, making it a year-round destination for the city's elite. Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller, who gained worldwide fame as the first cinematic Tarzan, served as a lifeguard here during that inaugural season to help cement its reputation as the most fashionable bathing spot in the capital.