The distinctive Tournesol swimming pool, with its unique flying saucer-like design, has become an iconic yet controversial piece of French architecture. Some describe it as resembling a UFO, while others see it as a giant mushroom or spaceship, but regardless of the comparison, its singular architecture has left an indelible mark on the French landscape.
Bernard Schoeller (1929-2020), an architect specializing in social housing who also designed the famous White Tower at La Défense, created the Tournesol pool design in August 1969. The inspiration for the characteristic round shape and large portholes came from a sea urchin test that sat on his desk during the design process. When Schoeller won the architectural competition, his original plans were modified to make the Tournesol pool even more economical and suitable for offering as a kit to municipalities across France.
The first prototype of the Tournesol pool was installed in the city of Nangis in Seine-et-Marne in 1972. Despite being the winner of the architectural competition that coincided with the "Thousand Pools Operation" of 1969, the Tournesol would not become the most widely built pool design in France. Only 182 units were ever constructed, primarily due to its distinctive and unconventional aesthetic that proved polarizing among municipal authorities.
Many municipalities rejected the bold design, preferring to install more discreet alternatives such as the Caneton pool or the Iris pool. The striking appearance that made the Tournesol architecturally significant also limited its widespread adoption, as local officials often favored more traditional and conservative designs for their communities.
Today, however, the Tournesol pool is experiencing a renaissance. Numerous municipalities are now recognizing the architectural intelligence and innovation of these buildings and are actively working to restore them. This shift in perspective reflects a growing appreciation for mid-20th century modernist architecture and the unique engineering solutions the Tournesol represented.
The Tournesol Club, a collective created specifically to document and share the history of these distinctive pools, has been instrumental in this renewed interest. Working with club members, researchers recently visited the Tournesol pool in Les Mureaux, located in the Yvelines department in the Paris region, to document its current condition and historical significance.
The story of the Tournesol pools reflects broader themes in French urban planning and public architecture from the post-war era. These pools were part of an ambitious national initiative to democratize access to swimming facilities across France, bringing modern recreational amenities to communities that previously lacked such resources. The tension between architectural innovation and public acceptance that characterized the Tournesol's history continues to influence contemporary discussions about public building design and municipal decision-making processes.
