Rhône's Pool, formerly known as piscine du Rhône, is a sports venue located on quai Claude-Bernard beside the Rhône in Lyon’s La Guillotière district, France. Designed by Lyon architect Alexandre Audouze-Tabourin, it was inaugurated in 1965. Since 2015, it has been named centre nautique Tony-Bertrand in honor of Tony Bertrand, the Lyon city sports deputy from 1959 to 1977 who initiated the project.

The venue’s history is linked to the major state investment in sports facility construction beginning in 1961 and to Lyon’s candidacy for the 1968 Summer Olympics. It underwent major renovation work in 2012 and 2013. The renovation enabled year-round access to the Olympic pool through a canal. The complex includes two heated main pools: a 50-meter Olympic pool in the south, accessible all year, and a 68 x 24 meter leisure pool in the north, open only in summer. The leisure area includes benches, whirlpools, a slide, a counter-current, a relaxation area, and a space for young children.

◎ Nearby Objects

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  Antonin-Poncet Square 350 m away
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  Place Gabriel-Péri 350 m away
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  Hôpital de la Charité de Lyon 400 m away
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  Rue des Marronniers 400 m away
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  Rue de Marseille 400 m away

From Piscine du Rhone to Centre Nautique Tony-Bertrand

The Centre nautique Tony-Bertrand, formerly known as the piscine du Rhone, is located on quai Claude-Bernard beside the Rhone in Lyon, in the La Guillotiere area of France. It was designed by the Lyon architect Alexandre Audouze-Tabourin and inaugurated in 1965. Since 2015, it has been named centre nautique Tony Bertrand. The current name honors the Lyon city sports deputy who served from 1959 to 1977 and initiated the project.

Renovation and Access Changes

Rhone's Pool, also known as the centre nautique du Rhone after 2014, reflects a history shaped by the large intervention of the French state in sports facility construction from 1961, and by Lyon's candidacy for the 1968 Summer Olympics. The site underwent major renovation work in 2012 and 2013. This renovation altered its operation by enabling year-round access to the Olympic pool through a canal, while the complex itself opens all year except for one month in winter, from mid-December to mid-January.

The northern part of the facility, dedicated to leisure, opens during a two-month period in July. Its leisure amenities include a playful pool with bubble benches, pentagliss, a counter-current river, and water games. During a period of high attendance, the site experienced numerous conflicts between users and security services, and employees organized a strike.

In 2014, the municipal council decided to raise the entrance fee by 135 percent, to 8 euros, and to rename the facility centre nautique du Rhone at the same time. The price increase led to council interrogations, petitions, demonstrations, and media coverage, but the fee was not changed. The admission price remained 8 euros in 2015.

Pool Layout and Lighting Features

Rhone's Pool has two main heated pools, both maintained at 27 C. The southern pool is a 50 meter Olympic pool that is accessible throughout the year, while the northern pool is a 68 x 24 meter leisure pool that opens only in summer. The leisure pool includes benches, whirlpools, a slide, and a counter-current, and it is complemented by a relaxation area and a space for young children. The installations also follow winter rates aligned with those of other city swimming pools.

A distinctive feature of the site is its four iconic pylons, which function as street lamps. They were intended to illuminate the facility and allow public access to the pool until midnight, but this purpose was never fulfilled.