Ah, France⦠Its cheese, its wine, and⦠its swimming pools! But between Marseille, the Mediterranean city, Lyon, the gastronomic capital, and Paris, the actual capital, which city truly dominates the pool rankings?
Itβs the kind of question that could spark a regional war worthy of a PSG-OM derby or a heated debate between Bordeaux and Nantes over "who makes the best wine" (we donβt want any trouble, we promise! π·). So, we decided to settle it: which major French city has the most private swimming pools?
Spoiler: Some cities might surprise youβ¦ while others confirm that living under the sun helps a little! π
Methodology: A Serious Study Based on Solid Data π
At Flipr, we donβt just make random guesses (or rather, wet-finger estimations). With over 10 terabytes of data on 27,000 pools, we were able to create a precise map of Franceβs pool landscape.
For this study, we selected the 10 largest cities in France and counted how many Flipr pools were located within a 50 kmΒ² radius around each city. We then extrapolated these results to the 3 million private pools registered in France.
The goal? To determine which city is truly the queen of private pools! ππ¦
Be careful, this isnβt just a contest of who gets the most sunβ¦ some surprises might ruffle a few feathers. Ready to dive into the results? Letβs go from last to first place! β¬
The 10 French Cities with the Most Swimming Pools π
10. Lille ποΈ (308 Flipr pools β 36,057 estimated in the area)
People in Lille love sports and socializing, but swimming pools arenβt quite their top priority... However, with increasingly hot summers, pools are becoming more popular.
π‘ Fun fact: Lille is famous for its Braderie, the largest flea market in Europe!
9. Strasbourg π° (381 Flipr pools β 44,603 estimated in the area)
Strasbourgβs contrasting climate doesnβt stop pool lovers. More and more pools are appearing to help residents cope with summer heat waves.
π‘ Fun fact: Strasbourg hosts the European Parliament and is one of the few cities in the world to house an international institution without being a capital! πͺπΊ
8. Nantes β (464 Flipr pools β 54,319 estimated in the area)
With a mild oceanic climate, pools in Nantes are a luxury, even though the Loire River and the Atlantic Ocean are never far away.
π‘ Fun fact: Nantes was the capital of Brittany until 1941β¦ and the debate over its status is still heated today! π΄
7. Nice π (830 Flipr pools β 97,166 estimated in the area)
Nice has sunshine, the seaβ¦ yet it ranks only 7th in pool ownership. The beachβs proximity likely explains why locals prefer the Mediterranean!
π‘ Fun fact: Nice is one of the few French cities where you can spot dolphins and whales just a few kilometers off the coast! π¬
6. Montpellier ποΈ (840 Flipr pools β 98,337 estimated in the area)
Montpellier moves up the rankings, reinforcing its reputation as a sunny city where water is essential to quality of life.
π‘ Fun fact: Montpellier has been Franceβs fastest-growing city in recent years.
5. Bordeaux π· (844 Flipr pools β 98,805 estimated in the area)
Between vineyards and pools, Bordeaux proves that life is good in the southwest of France.
π‘ Fun fact: Bordeaux is home to the worldβs largest reflecting pool, located in front of Place de la Bourse.
4. Lyon π¦ (1,397 Flipr pools β 163,544 estimated in the area)
Known for its cuisine and hot summers, Lyon earns its spot in this ranking.
π‘ Fun fact: The LumiΓ¨re brothers invented cinema in Lyon! π₯
3. Paris πΌ (1,391 Flipr pools β 162,842 estimated in the area)
Despite the lack of space, Paris remains a city where pools are a sought-after luxury, especially in the suburbs.
π‘ Fun fact: The Eiffel Tower was originally supposed to be dismantled after 20 years!
2. Toulouse π (1,530 Flipr pools β 179,114 estimated in the area)
The sun shines bright in the Pink City, and pools are an obvious choice for locals.
π‘ Fun fact: Toulouse is Europeβs aerospace capital and home to Airbus! βοΈ
1. Marseille ππ₯ (1,543 Flipr pools β 180,636 estimated in the area) β THE POOL QUEEN! π
Sun, sea, and pools: Marseille is the perfect place to take a dip!
π‘ Fun fact: Marseille is the oldest city in France, founded by the Greeks in 600 BC.
Conclusion: Well, Toulouse Almost Took the Crownβ¦ But Marseille and Its Numbers π
Letβs face it, Marseille takes the top spot with the highest number of pools, and no one will be surprised to hear a local say: "Ah but bro, here itβs a must, we have sun all year round!". βοΈ
Toulouse put up a good fight, finishing in an honorable second place, just behind the Phocean city. Lyon and Paris complete the podium, proving that even in less Mediterranean areas, pools are essential.
And what about Lille and Strasbourg? They show that you can love pools even under cloudy skies. Respect to them. π
This ranking confirms a trend: pools are no longer a luxury reserved for the South. Theyβre becoming a way of life from North to South, from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. So, are you team "I lounge on my inflatable mattress" or "I just dip my feet in to cool off"? ππ¦
Either way, if you have a pool, Flipr is here to help you make the most of it. And if you donβt have one yetβ¦ maybe itβs time to think about it? π
