controversy around the diving board dating from the Second World War

Despite the weight of the years and the onslaught of time, the 1949 diving board still stands on the beach of Le Touquet (Pas-de-Calais). But his days might be numbered. A luxury hotel will be built here and the diving board will not be part of the project. It will thus be moved, a heartbreak for the grandson of the architect who designed it. “It represents the spirit of Le Touquet, of modernism in fact”says Louis-Richard Quétélard, grandson of the architect.

Residents shared

In the 1950s, the heated seawater swimming pool was the pride of the inhabitants of Le Touquet. The years pass and the waterfront changes but the diving board remains. Today, opinions are divided as to its preservation. “This diving board, I think it’s ugly so it’s better to remove it”thinks a local resident. “Moving a concrete block, I don’t see much point”, continues another. The town hall promises to find him a place on the dike.