Paris lawmakers have voted to approve a nudist park as early as summer 2017.
The proposal, put forward by three Green councillors, could see a naturist resort established in one of two major wooded areas—the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes—that lie to the west and east of the French capital respectively.
Speaking after councillors approved the proposal Monday evening, David Belliard, the co-chair of the ecologist group in the city council, said that naturism was on the rise and "Paris so far has nowhere" for would-be nudists to practise it, according to AFP.
Belliard noted that 2 million French people practise naturism, while Paris's Deputy Mayor Bruno Julliard said that the country was the world's top destination for people wanting to bare all, with more than 100 clothes-free beaches and multiple holiday camps.
Currently, there is little space in the French capital for naturists to express themselves. Nudism is considered indecent exposure and is punishable by up to a year in prison and a maximum fine of 15,000 euros ($16,900), while there is just a single swimming pool—the Roger Le Gall in the east of Paris—that allows nude swimming, and then only on three occasions per week and after 9 p.m. local time, France24 reported.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Conor is a staff writer for Newsweek covering Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, security and conflict.
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
