Scoufflény: Rebirth of a Legendary Quarry into an Exceptional Nautical Base

In Belgium, a 100-hectare quarry dedicated to diving and water sports has recently reopened. This ambitious project, led by NEMO33 and its founder, John Beernaerts, creator of the famous diving pool, promises a unique experience combining comfort and nature. After four years of transformation, the former abandoned industrial site has become a complete water sports base.

A Return to the Roots for John Beernaerts

In 2002, the quarry closed after a decade of activity. John Beernaerts, drawing upon his experience with NEMO33, envisioned a complete repurposing of the site. He was inspired by his early diving days in Belgium in 1978, where pool training was followed by quarry immersion in cold, dark waters. These challenging conditions shaped his vision of more accessible and enjoyable diving.

In 1996, after exploring tropical seas, John Beernaerts wondered why diving couldn’t be easy and enjoyable in Belgium. He then designed a revolutionary deep pool, NEMO33 in Brussels, after three years of studies and numerous tests. He later extended his concept to France in 2020, with the opening of a second pool.

The Transformation of Scoufflény: A Major Challenge

Today, John Beernaerts embarks on the transformation of Scoufflény, a 100-hectare site located two and a half hours from Paris by train. In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, he partnered with Yannick Kalantarian and acquired the site. They discovered an area overrun by vegetation and waste. This marked the beginning of extensive cleanup and development, transforming the site into a future nautical base. Despite geopolitical and energy crises, work continued for three years.

Modern and Comprehensive Facilities

In spring 2023, the first facilities are operational. The nerve center includes:

Containers converted into living spaces (toilets, infirmary, changing rooms, dive shop, filling station)

A parking lot with 150 spaces

A launch ramp with floating pontoons…