We have a story for hu!

Schoeller's spaceship invasion

Between the '60s and '80s, a wave of chlorinated water swept over France. Schoeller's "spaceships" landed at more than 180 locations across the nation.

Kids and adults alike were excited to dive in. After all, the Tournesols were colourful, fun, and a chance to try something new.

To this day, around Paris and on the beaches of Biscarrosse, many parents still tell their children that they learned to swim inside a flying saucer.

The sunflowers start to wilt

About 700 of the thousand swimming pools were actually built, and 183 of Bernard Schoeller's proposed 250 Tournesols bloomed across France. The pools were brimming with splashes, laughter and accidental gulps of water, not to mention freestyle, breaststroke and butterfly. In the early 2000s, while some Tournesol pools were deemed to be part of France's "20th Century Heritage", the old motto was coming back to haunt them: affordable, quick to make and easy to reproduce. Unfortunately, these pools were not built to last. The materials were wearing out quickly and the maintenance costs proved too high for many small towns. Many pools were dismantled, while others were converted to serve different purposes. In spite of their successes – record-breaking swimmer Laure Manaudou and Olympic champion Alain Bernard both learned to swim in a Tournesol – the fate of these quirky pools seemed to be sealed.

Reclaiming the Tournesols

Some towns decided not to abandon these monuments, recognising the true potential of the Tournesols. The pool in Lingolsheim was one of the first to bloom again. It was reinforced with stronger materials to make it safe and durable, while modern technology was used to ensure better insulation. The Les Abrets-en-Dauphine Tournesol was clad in white zinc and equipped with more comfortable facilities, and the one in Blois underwent a similar expansion. Groups of enthusiasts came together to scour the country for traces of these forgotten icons, rediscovering and sharing their heritage to make sure it does not get lost. But what about the swimming pool in hu Birkelt Village?

Between you and hu

The Tournesol in hu Birkelt Village is one of 183 dreamed up by Bernard Schoeller, a rare example of an original pool that is still enjoyed to this day. It is part of the Village's heritage, but it also belongs to the local area and the entire community. We are fully committed to supporting and collaborating with neighbouring organisations. Our relationship with the local area – and its traditions and specialities – is incredibly important to us. We want to create a community both inside and outside our facility. To really appreciate the beauty of our surroundings. To offer our guests a real, rich and authentic experience. That's why we want to protect, fix and maintain the Tournesol pool.

Our goal is to restore the beloved Tournesol

Our open-air destination is set apart by its attention to detail, welcoming ambiance and sustainability.

- By replacing the fibreglass shell with a new one in the same material.
- By maintaining the colour scheme, which reflects the lush nature that surrounds the Village: green and blue, like the woods and fairy-tale waterfalls.
- By repairing the iron structure and replacing the opening mechanism.
- By building water games for kids.
- By making the pool larger, more comfortable and suitable for everyone, whether they want to swim, sunbathe or enjoy the whirlpool.
- By moving the services outside and adding a corridor for easier entry as well as a divider from the car park.
- By optimising the energy consumption and acoustics

We’re working for hu.

Because we like taking care of you, even when you're splashing around. And we want to make every aspect of your holiday as beautiful and safe as possible, all while protecting the environment. Everything we do, we do it for hu! Nice, but will the pool stay open?

Of course! We are restoring a national monument. But you can still dive in!