What if Europe's largest urban water park were to disappear, only to be reborn? In an interview with Sortiraparis, the mayor of the 15th arrondissement, Philippe Goujon, gave details of the complete renovation ofAquaboulevard de Paris, as well as a complete restructuring of the district. The aquatic complex is thus set to bow out temporarily due to extensive works.
We'd already heard about this renovation, in fact... It was in 2022, and it was Emmanuel Grégoire, the first deputy mayor of Paris, in charge of urban planning, who mentioned it. At the time, Philippe Goujon, mayor of the 15th arrondissement, was already explaining that the aim was to"transform this huge block into a mini-Parisian district criss-crossed by streets lined with cafés-restaurants and local shops".
What has changed today? Not much, apart from the fact that the renovation of Aquaboulevard will involve more than just the emblematic aquatic center: " We're rebuilding a neighborhood with 400 housing units, a pedestrian street, and we're rebuilding the cinemas ", explained the mayor of the 15th arrondissement. The aim is to rebuild the facility as part of a wider urban development project.
The complex, which attracts many visitors every year, is also an exception when it comes to energy consumption. " Today, it's the biggest thermal sieve in Europe", explains the mayor during our interview, underlining the urgent need for modernization. The idea is to halve energy consumption. The entire site, including the nearby Gaumont cinemas, considered outdated and unsightly, will be involved in this transformation operation. The aim is to make the complex more attractive to residents and visitors alike, while respecting energy efficiency criteria.
The work is part of an overall project to overhaul the district, spearheaded by Paris City Hall. TheAquaboulevard site, once isolated on the outskirts of the capital, is now seen as strategic to the revitalization of western Paris.
The facelift is scheduled to take place in several stages, which the deputy will detail in 2022. From 2025, the City of Paris will reclaim half of the Paris heliport as a green space, adjacent to the Parc Suzanne-Lenglen. The Aquaboulevard will be completely restructured from 2026 onwards.
The final stage will be launched in 2028, and involves thermal renovation of the Frères-Voisin housing estate, also a real sieve. The total cost is estimated at several hundred million euros, including 150 million paid by the city council. The project, of immense scope, has been awaited for years by the thousands of residents of Aquaboulevard.
This restructuring marks a break with the urbanization logic of the 1990s, by introducing reasoned densification and better connections with neighboring districts. The aim is to anchor theAquaboulevard in a new metropolitan dynamic.
The precise closing date for the aquatic complex has not yet been officially announced, but the broad outlines of the project have been clearly outlined. This is a major project for the 15th arrondissement, aimed at reinventing one of its most emblematic leisure centers.
Until the new district opens, users will have to be patient. Once underway, the project will probably take several years to complete. A structuring project, to be followed by Parisians.
Aquaboulevard, the family water park in the heart of Paris
The whole family can take a dip in the heart of Paris at Aquaboulevard, a water park where visitors come all year round to enjoy the wave pools, 11 giant slides, whirlpool baths and waterfalls, in an atmosphere maintained at 29°C. [Read more]
Location
Aquaboulevard
4 Rue Louis Armand
75015 Paris 15
Aquaboulevard, the family water park in the heart of Paris
