Opening in the 16th arrondissement 1929, The Molitor pools were the epitome of glamour, becoming Paris’s most popular swimming baths (the bikini first debuted here, and you might also recognise the aquatic scenery from Ang Lee’s Life of Pi). The building closed in 1989 and soon became a choice locale for street artists and underground raves, staying that way until a few years ago when it was converted into a luxury hotel. Synthesising elegant tributes to its original design with the latest modern conveniences, The Molitor hotel maintains its focus on the ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ pools, sparking a redux of those glamorous days spent poolside.

Image photography by Alexandre Soria.