Foreign visitors are once again allowed at the outdoor pool in Porrentruy, near the French border, after last summer’s controversial ban. Local authorities have lifted the 2025 restriction on non-residents, but access now costs more: adults without Swiss documentation pay 15 francs per entry, twice the local rate. Tickets must be bought online and shown with identification at the entrance.
The ban ran from July 4 to August 31, 2025, after attendance surged and pool rules were repeatedly breached. During that period, admission was limited to Swiss citizens and holders of valid Swiss residence or work permits. The municipality and the inter-municipal syndicate that manages the facility said the measure followed a series of incidents, including more than 20 expulsions for misconduct or rule-breaking. The restriction was lifted for the final two weeks of the season, a decision Mayor Philippe Eggertswyler confirmed on September 2, 2025.
The ban drew controversy, particularly amid reports that French nationals accounted for as much as 95% of those affected. That figure referred to the proportion of excluded visitors, not the pool’s overall attendance. Debate over access criteria continued into 2026, with the Federal Commission against Racism arguing that the previous policy conflicted with Switzerland’s constitutional prohibition on discrimination. Cantonal authorities said short-term emergency measures could be justified on safety grounds but cautioned against making such restrictions permanent.
New Pricing Structure
For the 2026 season, the pool has introduced a dual pricing system. General adult admission costs 15 francs, while visitors with Swiss documentation pay 7.50 francs. Children aged six and older without Swiss documentation also pay the higher rate. The same applies to students and pensioners. Foreign visitors can buy single-entry tickets, but multi-entry passes and season tickets remain reserved for people with recognised ties to Switzerland. Entry requires an online ticket and valid identification at the gate.
Unlike municipal pools in cities such as Madrid, where prices are based on age and social discounts, Porrentruy’s system ties the fee to documentation and legal status. The policy has fuelled debate over fairness and how public facilities should balance equal access with public order.
Ongoing Debate Over Access
In March 2026, Porrentruy’s council proposed changes to its police regulations that would allow temporary or permanent measures to control pool access on capacity or security grounds. The draft also set out priority categories, including residents and permit holders. Cantonal police said their review focused on operational matters rather than legal validity. The 2026 model removes the outright ban while retaining financial and administrative barriers for visitors without Swiss documentation.
French visitors without Swiss residency or employment must buy a general-admission ticket online, show valid identification and pay the higher fee. Season passes and multi-entry cards are not available to them. The pool operates from 9:00 to 20:30 until August 16, then reduces its hours until September 6. Weather can also affect opening times, so daily operations depend on conditions.
There is no blanket ban on French nationals. Visitors of any nationality with a Swiss residence or work permit can access the reduced rate. Those without such documents must buy a general-admission ticket and meet the identification requirement.
Disputes over access and pricing at public facilities are not unique to Switzerland. In France, conflicts over rental rules and tenant rights have also led to legal challenges. In one case, a court overturned a landlord’s attempt to evict tenants over a locksmith bill, highlighting the complexities of cross-border regulations and questions of fairness. For more on such disputes, see this recent case involving tenant rights in France.
