Casalgrande Padana tiles at the Païcherou wet leisure centre

Casalgrande Padana’s porcelain stoneware tiles decorate the floors and the inside of the pools of the Païcherou wet leisure centre in France.

The Païcherou wet leisure centre is located just outside Carcassonne in Southern France, between River Aude and the Bastide Saint-Louis. Its redevelopment and expansion by TAA Montpellier allowed for the creation of a 6.5-hectare sports and leisure area around it, with pétanque courts, cycle paths, picnic areas, and car parks.

The project’s architectural approach is fully aligned with the existing site. It fits seamlessly into the landscape, highlighting Carcassonne’s unique territory between the Black Mountain (north), the Corbières Massif (east), the Lauragais plain (west), and the Aude valley (south). More in detail, this wet leisure centre is on a meander of River Aude, facing the agricultural fields at the foot of Carcassonne.

The entrance hall is the focal point of the complex. Large windows and pathways make it easy for users to find their way around and see all the activities the centre offers. For example, the cardio and fitness spaces, massage rooms, locker rooms, and administrative offices are located in the northern part along the forecourt, while two indoor swimming pools (one measuring 25x15 m and the other 15x10 m for aqua fitness classes) are in the southern part. This area also includes a sauna, a hammam, sensory showers, a whirlpool, and an outdoor pool (25x21 m) with a solarium overlooking the Aude.

The Païcherou wet leisure centre consists of a concrete masonry basement around which a glass and metal structure frames the surrounding landscape and regulates the façade while supporting the glulam roof.

The floors are decorated with Casalgrande Padana’s Ecoconcrete porcelain stoneware tiles (30x30 cm and 30x60 cm) in the Bianco and Grigio colours. In addition, the inside and outside of the pools feature porcelain stoneware tiles (12.5x25 cm) from the Landscape collection in the Tundra and Lava colours.

Wet areas and surfaces immersed in water require anti-slip materials that ensure maximum hygiene and are easy to clean. And Casalgrande Padana tiles tick all these boxes. In particular, the Landscape collection is specifically designed for wall coverings and the inside of pools, combining beauty and outstanding technical features.

Ph: Roland Halbe