Piscine des Arêtes: the family indoor pool in La Chaux-de-Fonds

A big indoor pool for swimming all year round in La Chaux-de-Fonds

When the warm days are gone and the Piscine des Mélèzes closes its doors, the Piscine des Arêtes takes over. Located on Rue de la Croix-Fédérale, just steps from the centre of La Chaux-de-Fonds, it offers families a big indoor pool heated to around 28 degrees, open almost all year round. People come here to swim lengths, learn to float, or simply enjoy a moment in the warm while outside the thermometer plays out its winter extra time. It is one of those practical, reassuring places where you know you will have a good time, whatever the weather of the Neuchâtel mountains.

What your children will discover

The heart of the pool is a big indoor basin of 25 metres by 11, with four lanes and depths ranging from about 140 to 180 centimetres. Plenty for real swimming for older children and confident swimmers. The little ones have their own space with a paddling pool where they can splash about safely, away from the main pool. The water there is kept at a pleasant temperature, around 28 degrees, ideal for children who get cold quickly. And for parents, a sauna with a cold-water pool offers a chance to relax while the children play.

What you do there and the atmosphere on site

The atmosphere at Les Arêtes is that of a genuine neighbourhood pool, used by schools, swimming clubs and local families. You will come across children in the middle of a swimming lesson, swimmers ticking off lengths, and parents who have come to spend an hour or two with the little ones. It is less spectacular than a big leisure pool, but it is exactly what you need to get moving on a Wednesday afternoon or a rainy Sunday. You come in your swimsuit, you swim, you splash, you warm up in the sauna, and you leave relaxed. Simple, effective and accessible all year round.

Before you go

• Recommended age: all ages; paddling pool for toddlers, main pool for swimmers.
• Duration: allow one to two hours for a swimming session.
• Price: paid entry (reduced rates generally for children, students and AVS/AI); rates to be confirmed on the official website, which is authoritative.
• Booking: no booking for open swimming; entry on site.
• Stroller/wheelchair accessibility: indoor facility on one level; ask about access details on site or with the pool.
• Transport: near the centre of La Chaux-de-Fonds, accessible by bus; parking options in the neighbourhood.
• What to bring: swimsuits, towels, a swimming cap if required, flip-flops and a small padlock for the lockers.
• Best season: all year round, and particularly valuable in autumn and winter, when the open-air Les Mélèzes pool is closed.

Tips from parents

• Check the public opening times before setting off: some slots are reserved for schools and clubs.
• Wednesday afternoon and the weekend are perfect for a family outing, but also the busiest.
• Bring coins or a padlock for the changing-room lockers.
• The youngest love the paddling pool: settle in nearby to keep a close eye on them.
• Take turns enjoying the sauna while the other parent stays with the children.

Useful information

• Address: Rue de la Croix-Fédérale 35, 2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds (Neuchâtel)
• Official website: chaux-de-fonds.ch
• Opening times: open on weekdays and at the weekend; some slots are reserved for schools and clubs. Public access times to be confirmed on the official website.
• Access: near the centre of La Chaux-de-Fonds, by bus; parking in the neighbourhood.

Want other outings? Find all our activities in La Chaux-de-Fonds.

Why we recommend it

Because it is the go-to indoor pool in La Chaux-de-Fonds, open when the open-air pools close. With its big 25-metre pool, its paddling pool for little ones and its sauna for parents, it ticks all the boxes for a family swim, summer and winter alike. Practical, accessible and heated, it is perfect for learning to swim, burning off energy on a rainy day or simply having a good time in the warm in the watchmaking city.

In a nutshell

A big 25-metre indoor pool with a paddling pool and sauna: the Piscine des Arêtes is the safe bet for a family swim all year round in La Chaux-de-Fonds.