Architect

Atelier Ruelle

Type of Area

Sea
Outdoor public swimming pool or lido
Stream with natural banks

Land/water interaction

Stony beach
Terraces/steps
Pier

Built Environment Types

Moderately built Moderate green

Scale of Impact

District/ neighbourhood
City

Intervention Scale (Spatial)

Small site

Project Types

Seafront development
Public space regeneration
Sports facility

Urban/ Rural

Inner urban area

Visibility and Openness

Fully open
Full horizon

Space for Seaside Activities

This project, constructed sequentially between 2001 and 2013 and designed by Atelier Ruelle for the City of Veules-les-Roses and Communauté de Commune de la Côte d’Albâtre, restores some seaside activities and presence in an unusual way.

This small resort of Veules-les-Roses suffered heavy bombardment in the Second World War then unsympathetic post-war reconstruction when the river was confined in a concrete tunnel then covered over for car parking. The small-scale opening to the sea descends down the narrow valley of the small river and is squeezed between chalk cliffs.

The project comprises of two main sections.

The first, the main part of the design, consists of a large wooden deck, designed to be evocative of an ocean liner, constructed on top of the sea wall. This has two elements inserted into it – an open-air paddling pool and a sand-covered children’s play area – needed due to the steep shingle beach and strong waves which make the sea rather dangerous.

Behind the decking, and between it and the town is the re-exposed river with a small park on either bank, before it flows beneath the decking and through the sea wall into the sea.

The decking overlooks the beach which is also used for many activities in and out of the water. This decking then continues across a concrete promenade which also protrudes over the seawall creating a viewpoint. There are numerous seating areas, a children’s play area and paddling pool.