On a hot summer day in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps, we decided to check out Morzine outdoor swimming pool. The complex at the Parc des Dérêches proved just the place to take our three-year-old daughter and recommend visiting if looking to go swimming in Morzine.
Morzine Outdoor Swimming Pool
Set at the foot of the mountains in Morzine village, it would be difficult to find a more picturesque setting for an outdoor swimming area. Awaiting those who visit is an Olympic sized swimming pool (heated to 27°C), a large, shallow teaching tool and a paddling pool complete with what my daughter described as a “swimming pool playground”.
Mrs T is right, of course, with two slides, a climbing frame and jet sprays, there was plenty to keep her amused. The only problem was getting her out! For older children (and adults) there is also an 80m waterslide and a beach volley court as well as an ordinary, run-of-the-mill playground.
Getting to Morzine pool fairly early paid off (around 11am). We got a couple of sun beds so had some relaxation time. It was only when we left that we realised the value of the loungers. By noon, on a mid week afternoon, the place was heaving and most people were lying on towels on the stony floor.
This was the one flaw in the outdoor swimming pool plan…cobbled flooring. Well, it may as well have been. There were various signs instructing us to take off our shoes but we had to get across a really rough pavement with our bare feet. I had to carry Mrs T and eventually just sneaked her crocs on. As an after thought, a path had been shaved into the floor, giving a slightly smoother walkway – but only to those who could see it and it didn’t go all the way to the children’s playground.
French Swimming Pool Rules
If you’ve ever visited a swimming pool in France (or some other countries in Europe), you may know that men have to adhere to a strict clothing rules.
Yes, loose fitting board shorts are strictly forbidden in French swimming pools. Men need to wear swimming trunks. To my husband’s slight relief, the boxer-style swimming short is allowed but I spotted a fair few budgie smugglers on display!
For those who had forgotten (or don’t own a pair) there’s a vending machine at the Morzine swimming pool selling them. So no excuses. Locals tell me the rule is in place because they don’t want the bikers who visit during the summer, coming off the mountains and using the pools in their dirty gear.
Indoor facilities at Morzine swimming pool
As well as the outdoor facilities, Morzine swimming complex also has some impressive indoor facilities. These are much needed during the cold winter months when the ski resort is full swing. There’s a 25m pool heated to 27°C, another warm teaching pool, padding pool and spa area with saunas and Turkish baths as well as sun loungers. There is also a café with outside and indoor eating space as well as a bar! After packing some sandwiches we did notice a big sign saying no food allowed in the outdoor area but we managed to sneak it.
The visit was a huge success. We managed to get a bit of relaxation while our daughter had an amazing time. In fact, we had to bribe her with a lollipop to get her out of the swimming pool playground. Morzine outdoor pool is great for kids!
Tips for visiting Morzine outdoor pool
- Get there early as it got very busy. If we had we left it any later we certainly wouldn’t have got any loungers. As you can imagine our sun beds were quickly snapped up when we left.
- Men, don’t forget appropriate swimwear to adhere to French swimming pool rules. Trunks only, no loose fitted shorts.
Cost to visit Morzine pool
Visiting Morzine swimming pool was fairly reasonable. Children under 5 swim for free (so do senior citizens), children 5-16 pay 4.50 euros. Adults pay 12.50 euros for a full day using the facilities.
Morzine swimming pool opening times
During the summer, Morzine swimming pool is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm and at the weekend 10am to 7pm. We got a few hours worth from our pass before bidding au revoir. Click here for full spring and summer opening times.
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Those men’s trunks in the photo don’t leave much to the imagination. Also glad that I’m a girl and don’t have to deal with the tight shorts 😉 Thanks for sharing! #AllAboutFrance
Jennifer (Dr. J) recently posted…Time for a Tipple at the Irish Whiskey Museum in Dublin
Haha! I know, they don’t do they! Does make me giggle xx
That place looks amazing! much more than just a swimming pool. We where recently in the South of France and my husband had his snug boxers ready. I think he was quite into them.. but we never made it to a pool. Too many lakes!
Haha. Yes, I think my hubby secretly liked wearing them too. Am impressed you went swimming in the lakes…waaay too cold for me. Xx
They are so strict about swimming trunks in France aren’t they? Am very relieved it doesn’t apply to me… In fact, lots of rules all over at Morzine’s pool, it seems 🙂 The swimming pool playground sounds worth it though. #allaboutfrance
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Countdown to Antigua
There were a lot of rules, you’re right! Although we did break most of them – such rebels!! Swimming pool playground still gets talked about today. Xx
Looks like you had a great day out. I think my husband has now lived in France too long, he prefers the tight fitting boxer trunks to big flappy shorts!
FrenchVillage Jacqui recently posted…Grange 87 cycling holidays in the Haute-Vienne
Haha- I think it does grow on them! It was a fab day. Thanks x
Looks like a great pool and no wonder your daughter talks about the swimming pool playground. Snug fitting swimmers for men always gets the foreigners…I’m so used to it I don’t think twice about it anymore but it looks to me like your hubby is wearing loose ones…! There are so many theories about why men have to wear the tight style but it seems no one can definitively say why. I wrote a blog post about it years ago and it’s one of my most popular ever! Thanks for linking up to #AllAboutFrance again, I really enjoy your mountain stories.
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo recently posted…All About France #9
Oh did you! I’ll have to check it out. It’s an interesting discussion. Yes, while hubby was sunbathing he wore loose ones but had his trunks at the ready for going in the pool… I didn’t fancy putting a pic of him in trunks on the blog! Ha. Not sure he’d be very amused if I had. Thanks for hosting #allaboutfrance x
He’d just be considered “français” if you post the photo!!! I made my hubby and 2 boys pose in shorts and speedos to illustrate my blog post. Did you check it out? I don’t like posting links in comments as it can look spammy but I’m risking putting it here and if you don’t like it you can not allow (or edit) my comment! http://www.loumessugo.com/en/blog/entry/what-not-to-wear-at-the-pool
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo recently posted…The trip that was and the trip that wasn’t
Hey, thanks for the link – appreciate it! Fab post. Well done to your hubby and boys for posing!! Xx
That floor doesn’t look very nice to walk across in bare feet, let alone lie on – glad you managed to get a lounger! The swimming pool playground looks absolutely amazing 🙂
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) recently posted…Petersfield Physic Garden
Haha- I know – SO glad we got the loungers! Xx
I’ve not been to Morzine with my children but would love to go back. The pool there is amazing isn’t it.
Iona@Redpeffer recently posted…Living History at Avoncroft Museum
Oh, you should – it’s great for children. I was VERY impressed with the pool! Xx
what a lovely looking pool and a lovely warm temperature, great value and at those temperatures no problem to stay splashing about all day. A good tip about timing though, popular places do get busy in France especially in the peak summer months. thank you for sharing your lovely looking day on Country Kids.
Coombe Mill – Fiona Cambouropoulos recently posted…Trash 2 Treasure – October
Yes, they really do – can’t believe how quickly it filled up there. Thanks for hosting #countrykids x
I’ll have to visit Morzine with my kids as this pool complex looks so much fun! The ski resorts here really take advantage of year-round activities with hiking, mountain biking popular too in warmer months. The trunks rule is so funny, my partner avoids public pools here for that reason as he is a ‘boardies’ kind of guy!
Becks recently posted…An expat’s rugby dilemma in France
Hi Becks, I was really impressed with it and I think over the past few years the ski resorts have really improved the summer facilities. Haha – I don’t blame your hubby for avoiding the public pool – speedos really aren’t for everyone but the Europeans seem to embrace them! x
Hi, great pics and it looks fab – but not sure about the cobbled floor – must surely hurt the feet!? Especially children’s.
Looks like a great time and glad you managed to get a sun lounger x
#whatevertheweather
Sarah Doyle – let them be small recently posted…A Little Hedgehog & a Greedy Dragon
Thank you! Yes, someone hadn’t thought through the cobbled pathway very well! X
Love the swimming pool playground, my kids would love that, although when we were in the pool in Italy both our boys hated the deeper pool with a slide as the water was very cold (despite the air temp. being roasting!!). A shame about the flooring, but at least you got loungers and that view is stunning! My husband would have been a bit annoyed at the rule too, he always wears board shorts type swimwear!
Thanks for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
Jenny recently posted…Whatever the Weather Linky #13
Another lovely trip blog post. That looks like an amazing place to go. Thank you for taking up to places through your blog. xx I hope the cobbled pathway was’t too bad to walk on? I guess, it has to do with avoiding the pathway to get slippery? xx
Melody recently posted…Watching the sunset with the fairy
Thanks Melody! Yes, I guess that was the idea behind it – to avoid people slipping over but they went a bit over the top with the roughness. Thanks for visiting my blog xx
This place looks fab. I have never heard of the French swimming trunk rule before! I confess, I did snigger a little at the idea of a vending machine full of trunks!
Helena recently posted…Grobag Anorak Rolling Hills Review
Haha- I don’t blame you Helena – I giggled when I saw them!
I think Tin Box Tot would love this place. She’s just started to enjoy getting in the water and is already a fan of slides. I think we’d have trouble tearing her away too 🙂
Claireat Tin Box Traveller recently posted…An October dip in the Solent
Haha! Serious bribery was needed to avoid tears! X