What is a Bateau Bath?
Today, bateau bathtubs are regarded as the ultimate spot for a luxury soak – deep enough for a properly relaxing bath, yet elegant enough to stand as a showpiece of freestanding bathroom furniture. Bateau baths are as luxurious to bathe in as they are beautiful to look at, and they come in a wide range of styles, including double-ended designs. The defining feature of this iconic tub is the way it brings a splash of centuries-old luxury into a modern home. Part of the bateau bath’s appeal is its versatility – it suits contemporary and traditional bathrooms alike. That said, freestanding baths generally work best in larger bathrooms, since they need clear space around them for external plumbing.
History of Bateau Bathtubs
Bateau baths are credited to the French designer and manufacturer Jacob Delafon, founded in Paris in the late 19th century. At the time, a bath like this was a genuine statement of status – most households simply didn’t have access to a domestic bathroom in any sense we’d recognise today. For many, a tin bath in front of the fire was the best they could hope for, which made the bateau bath very much the preserve of the wealthier classes.
The name comes from the French word for “boat”, inspired by the tub’s distinctive roll top, said to resemble the bow of a ship. The bath’s overall symmetry echoes a boat’s hull too, which is why it’s always destined to take centre stage in a bathroom design.
Shop Our Bateau Baths
Bateau baths are a favourite of ours at Old Fashioned Bathrooms, and they’re just as popular with our customers. Our range has something for every household, and every bath comes with the guarantees and delivery promises our customers expect.
Burlington Bateau Roll Top Bath
This 70-litre, double-ended Burlington Bateau stands on four feet available in nine different finishes. The legs enhance the tub’s “boat” silhouette while also making it easier to clean underneath and around. The exterior can be finished with acrylic-based primers and paints from two manufacturers, giving you hundreds of colour options to choose from.
Copper Bateau Bath
Hand-beaten from 16-gauge copper sheet, this copper and nickel bath is hardwearing and available with a waxed or unwaxed exterior, depending on your preference. Its sparkling nickel interior reflects light beautifully, making it a striking match for bathrooms with a darker colour scheme.
Hurlingham Cast Iron Drayton Bath
Finished internally in white enamel, the cast iron Sudbury tub can be painted externally in hundreds of colours to match your décor exactly.
It’s a traditional-style bathtub that makes a superb centrepiece for a period bathroom – though at 147kg, it’s a heavy piece to manoeuvre, so it’s worth planning access and installation in advance.
Victoria + Albert Toulouse Bath
At 301 litres and 88kg, the Toulouse bateau is made from natural limestone mixed with resin, making it a stone bath that’s remarkably durable and resistant to everyday wear. Its clean lines suit contemporary bathrooms perfectly, though it works just as well as a centrepiece in a more traditional setting.
Copper Normandy Bateau Bath
Hand-beaten from 16-gauge copper sheet, this handmade bateau tub is finished with nickel alloy on both the interior and exterior. If you love the copper foundation of the bateau bath but want a lighter, more reflective exterior suited to brighter bathrooms, this is the option to go for.