Nude Beaches of France

For those who would like to experience a nude beach for the first time or those are are naturists, France is the place to be. Some of the world's most famous nude beaches are in France. This is one of the reasons that when the phrase "nude beaches" is uttered, people think of France. There are many places along the Mediterranean Sea in various countries where nudists can find their place in the sun, but France is one of the most beautiful and nudist friendly . There are also many other places dotted throughout France that are great nudist locations.

Cap d'Agde is perhaps the most famous nudist community in the world. For those looking to do pretty much EVERYTHING naked, Cap d'Agde is the place to be. Cap d'Agde is a gated and guarded community, so entrance must be made through the gate. For those visiting Cap d'Agde, it is recommended to bring cash as there is a charge to get through the gate unless you are staying at a hotel (make sure you get the required gate pass from your hotel before leaving for Cap d'Agde.) If you are not a naturist or do not work in Cap d'Agde, entrance to the town is prohibited. There are many times where naturalists can be found clothed in Cap d'Agde such as when there is colder weather or at dinner at restaurants.

Vieux St. Giron, located in the Landes region of France, is a great place to be when plain old clothed surfing gets old. This beach is known for its surf not only by nudists, but the clothed as well. While the waves can be intense and bring a lot of fun, care must be taken of the undertow which can be quite dangerous for those who aren't the best of swimmers. The atmosphere at Vieux St. Giron is laid back which is great for those who just want to relax. There are also sand dunes here which make the area very unlike the beaches of the Mediterranean.

Leucate Plage is another famous nudist beach in France located north of Perpignan. With its golden sands and nearly limitless sunshine, it's a really beautiful place to be. Although there are three naturist communities surrounding this area, the beach is open to everyone. There is another famous nudist beach, Euronat, which is located due northwest of Bordeaux. This beach has a very friendly feel to it as well as clean sands and lifeguards who make sure the beach is safe and fun for everyone. Not everyone has to be nude at Euronat, which makes it a great "safety" for those who think they may change their mind about going nude in public. Other nudist beaches in the area include Montalivet CM, Arnaoutchot, and La Jenny

Each year, thousands of people flock to Les Grottes Plage located on the Ile du Levant which is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. This beautiful beach is made up of a natural cove which makes for excellent snorkeling and swimming. At Les Grottes Plage, nudity is actually required. Nudity is also required at the nearby beach Bain de Diane. The village of Heliopolis nearby requires everyone to be clothed, but the actual required amount is minimal and sometimes stretched all the way to a string bikini bottom. Les Grottes Plage is a major vacation destination and provides a lot of entertainment with a mixture of warm Mediterranean weather. Sadly, about 90% of this island is closed from the public for military testing. The only other area allowable, is the Domaine des Arbousiers, which is a nature reserve.

In the Southwestern areas of France, particularly in Languedoc, there are other smaller nudist areas for those who are a little faint of heart to be visiting Cap d'Agde. In fact, the span between Biarritz to the Gironde (100 miles) is practically one big nudist beach. There are also many topless beaches throughout the coastal areas of France where full nudity is not permitted, but those wishing to sunbathe topless are welcome. The Plage de Tahiti in St. Tropez, which is actually not a nudist beach, made the whole idea of topless sunbathing extremely popular. When actress, Brigitte Bardot was caught here sunbathing topless, the world was shocked. Shortly after this, topless sunbathing became a huge fad. (Go figure!) Most beaches in the Riviera are friendly to those who prefer to remain topless, but it's important to check ahead of time before venturing out to the beach. Topfreedom is a social movement that fights for the right for women to be allowed to topless in the same places that men can. The movement is gaining ground in many European countries such as France where it is already acceptable for women to be topless in places such as beaches. However, the movement is having problems in more conservative countries such as the United States where even women breastfeeding in public can often find themselves in legal trouble. Nude and topless beaches are not only a place to let it all hang out (quite literally,) but are also a great way to get a seamless, full body tan and a place to allow women to be toplessly equal to men!