'I built my own natural pool in France for only €8,000'

Alex Wells, 57, from East Yorkshire in England, moved to Aigurande (Indre) in 2020. She has owned a house there since 2012, but living in it permanently made her long for a pool to help her keep fit. She ended up building it herself…

I developed asthma in my 30s and am intolerant to chemicals and additives, including chlorine.

So in 2021, when I was thinking about a pool, I went on a course to learn about natural swimming pools.

I had someone come in with a machine to dig the hole, but I built the breeze block walls myself. I installed a pool liner and pumps to keep the water moving, and that combination of aeration and plants keeps the water clear. I have salamanders, frogs, newts and dragonflies, to name but a few.

I taught myself to do it all using YouTube videos and advice. I did have some help with the liner, but the rest was a one-woman job.

Last summer, when the water was 28°C, I did get a tiny bit of algae but that was only to be expected. It cleared very fast. 

Read more: How to prepare your swimming pool in France for the upcoming winter

How much does a natural pool cost to run?

The beauty is that a natural pool uses no chemicals at all, just a bit of electricity running at 35 watts. It costs less than €1 a month to run. I keep the pump going from April to October/November, once the plants die back.

I skim the dead leaves off for the winter, and then, once the plants start growing again, I switch the pump back on. 

I swim all year round. Cold water swimming is good for you.

My pool is 4m wide by 10m long. The depth goes from 1.5m to 1.8m. The overall footprint, including the gravel regeneration zone, where the plants live, is 90m2, which is within the size limits of a 'garden feature' under 100m2. 

I never get mosquitoes because the water is always moving.

A natural pool like mine can include a skimmer, but I do not bother because I do not want tadpoles and other creatures swept away. 

I estimate that it cost around €8,000 to build my pool and the only maintenance required would be if the compressor or pump broke in hot weather. 

In that case the water would start to go green, but it would clear as soon as the pump started working again.

Alex loves to share what she has learned. See more on instagram/gretelwildswimming. 

Read more: What does the 'pool squat' case mean for property owners in France?

Everything you need to know about natural pools

You do not need full planning permission for a natural pool but submitting a déclaration préalable to your local mairie is wise as it can avoid problems further down the line.

Property owners do not have to pay taxes foncières on a natural pool because it is a pond, not a swimming pool.

Natural pools do not need pH balancing.

Eco-friendly sun creams do exist and are a good idea if you swim often wearing a lot of sun block. The water is naturally very soft.

When you fill a natural pool with tap water (which can take up to a week) initially it will go green because it is full of chemicals. However, it should clear within a few days as the plants and gravel do their job.

The regeneration zone can be integral to the pool, or can be positioned remotely.

A pool can be dug out by hand or by machine. Construction could take just a week from start to finish, plus the time to fill it. (Filling it from a tanker is faster.)

No special plants are needed. A few euros buys a selection of papyrus, lilies, primulas, iris, reeds, arum lilies – anything that enjoys having wet feet.

A natural pool is not legally required to have fences, covers or alarms.