Under the spotlight ever since Kieslowski shot a scene here from his film, Blue (part of his Three Colors trilogy), more than 15 years ago, Pontoise has become the ultimate swimming spot of the capital.

It’s not for professional swimmers but rather members of the French intelligentsia. Don’t expect free massages or five-star treatment, as Pontoise is no ‘chichi’ place. There’s a fitness club, a sauna, a squash school, and the pool—a 33-meter-long by 15 meter-large basin—is by no means an Olympic-sized one.

But it is housed in a stunning art deco building. With its 160 lined-up cabins on two high galleries surrounding the pool, glass ceiling reflecting natural light and mosaics in the entrance hall, Pontoise is an ideal and timeless retreat.