Private pool rentals never end: “I like the idea of sharing”

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Since their creation less than ten years ago, peer-to-peer pool rental platforms have seen a growing number of requests each summer. This trend is expected to continue growing, given the rising temperatures brought on by climate change.

France, with its more than 3.6 million private swimming pools, is the second most equipped country in the world. (Alix Marie/Plainpicture)

Every summer, it's the same thing. The municipal swimming pools fill up with people, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to find a place to lay down your towel on the beaches, which are overrun by tourists looking for a bit of cooling off. It was while trying to avoid this crowd that Cécile, 52, came across the French platform Swimmy in 2022, which offers private pool rentals. Saying goodbye to the crowds and the noise, the Vendée native was able to enjoy an afternoon in a private pool not far from her home with her daughter and friends. "I enjoy swimming quietly, being isolated, and diving in if I feel like it," says the tourism executive.

Like Cécile, a growing number of French people are attracted to private pool rentals. Since 2017, the French platform Swimmy, which offers more than 6,000 private pools for rent, has seen steady growth every year. 2025 got off to a particularly strong start during its first warm spells, with 30% more rentals in May compared to previous years. While the company was the first to expand in this area, other platforms have since emerged, such as MyPrivatePool. Further proof of the attractiveness of this sector.

For sociologist Jean Viard, this trend is not such a bad idea: "A swimming pool is rarely used." Renting it out therefore allows you to make it profitable, by making it