In 2026, 3,900 campsites will have a swimming pool, representing more than half of all campsites in France.
Swimming pools on campsites are considered as "private swimming pools for collective use", as are those in hotels, villages and holiday homes.
All campsite swimming pools with a significant number of users must comply with strict safety rules. In particular, they must be equipped with at least one standardised safety device to prevent the risk of drowning, whether or not swimming is supervised. This obligation has been in force since the 2003 law on swimming pool safety and remains in force in 2026.
Lifeguard or not?
Unlike paid swimming pools, campsite swimming pools are not required to have a lifeguard on duty for public swimming.
In this case, the campsite must inform users that the pool is unsupervised.
However, if supervised water activities (swimming lessons, aquagym, etc.) are offered, the presence of a lifeguard is mandatory (BNSSA or equivalent qualification).
Finally, even when the pool is supervised, adult vigilance remains essential, especially for children.
Mandatory safety equipment in the campsite's water area
Like private pools for family use, campsite pools must be equipped with at least one of four standardised safety devices to prevent the risk of drowning:
Pool barriers/fences
Most campsites have chosen to fence off their swimming pool or water park with a protective barrier to prevent access to children, teenagers and adults who would like to enjoy the pool outside the opening and supervision hours.
The latter is primarily designed to prevent the passage of children under five years of age. It must be at least 1.10 m high, fixed between two support points and equipped with a gate.
Swimming pool enclosures
A pool enclosure must be fully enclosed: when closed, its role is to completely block access to the pool for children.
You will find many indoor or outdoor swimming pools on campsites that offer these safety guarantees, as well as a way to enjoy the pool even in the low season, especially when the pool is heated.
Some campsites even house their campsites under a sometimes spectacular dome, such as Camping des Ormes Domaine & Resort.
Covers
The pool cover is intended to completely enclose the pool and prevent accidental immersion of small children. They are usually strong enough to withstand the weight of an adult.
If you have a private hot tub on your pitch or outside your rental property, it should have a cover to prevent access.
Pool alarm
A pool alarm is installed to detect the slightest crossing by a child under 6 kg and, if necessary, trigger a siren to prevent drowning.
There are two types of alarms for a communal pool: those placed on the surface of the water (immersion detectors) and those located around the pool (perimeter alarms).
Other safety standards to be applied
Private swimming pools for collective use must also comply with specific safety requirements, for example
- The flooring in the barefoot area should be safe. For example, they should be non-slip and non-abrasive.
- Wading pools for children may not exceed 0.40 metres in depth.
- Any waterslide with a height of 2 metres or more must have a waiting area with handrails. The staircase must allow only one person to pass at a time.
- Any platform or diving board higher than 1 metre is prohibited.
- The bottom of a pond must always be visible, otherwise it must be drained immediately.
- Surface skimmers and water inlets shall be sufficient in number and designed in such a way as not to present a danger to bathers.
- All hydraulic installations (water inlets, gutters, artificial wave generators, etc.) must be equipped with an emergency stop system
Safety information to be displayed (non-exhaustive list):
- The minimum and maximum depths of each pool must be displayed and readable from the beaches and pools.
- Extract from the establishment's internal regulations relating to the hours and conditions of use of the pool(s), in particular the maximum number of bathers authorised in the aquatic area.
- Location of rescue and relief equipment.
- Safety precautions for all materials provided, in a visible, legible and easily understandable manner.
- Alarm procedures and emergency numbers posted near the pool.
Water quality of swimming pools and spas: health checks
The water in swimming pools and spas is subject to control by the Regional Health Agency (ARS). This control focuses in particular on the quality of the water in the various pools, in order to ensure that there is no health risk for pool users. The decree of 26 May 2021 reinforces the analyses, monitoring measures and controls to be carried out.
As regards water play areas, intended for children, the quality of the water must comply with the same rules as those for swimming pools. However, with regard to water renewal and filtration speed, the ARS stipulates that all the water used in the area must be filtered within 30 minutes.
Drowning in swimming pools: the figures
During the summer of 2021, 1,480 accidental drownings were recorded, 26% of which occurred in swimming pools (source: Ipsos / Epidemiological surveillance of drownings - Results of the NOYADES 2021 survey). While the majority of swimming pool accidents take place in private pools for family use, almost a quarter of them take place in private pools for collective use, such as those in campsites or hotels.
In 2025, during a summer marked by high temperatures, Santé publique France reported 1,013 accidental drownings between 21 June and 13 August, including 268 deaths. Of these deaths, 37 occurred in swimming pools.
Even though not all drownings are fatal (25%), every effort must be made to prevent them.
A child can drown in 20 cm of water
The majority of these accidents involve children under the age of 12, especially the youngest: 22% of accidental drownings involve children under the age of 6. Often, it is because they escape their parents' vigilance.
For children under the age of 6, safety devices (alarms, buoys, armbands, etc.) are never a substitute for the presence and careful supervision of a responsible adult while swimming.