Indecent visitors test the limits of tolerance in French community
In the charming coastal town of Les Sables d'Olonne, located on the Vendeé departement's Atlantic coast, a new public decency campaign has been launched to maintain community standards and respect local sensibilities. The campaign, which has been met with widespread support, aims to prevent tourists from wandering around town in swimwear or topless outside designated beach areas.
Mayor Yannick Moreau has taken the lead in this initiative, asking the police to enforce a new rule about clothing in the town center. The rule prohibits people from walking around half-naked, with fines of up to €150 ($175) for those caught shirtless or only in swimwear outside beaches.
The Mayor justified the new rule, citing respect for townsfolk and basic hygiene in marketplaces, shops, and small streets. He described the behavior of walking around half-naked as "indecent" and "increasing summer after summer."
The campaign in Les Sables d'Olonne is playfully drawing on the town's history as an elegant bathing resort. The poster for the campaign features an evolving or devolving sequence of five people, starting fully-clothed and ending with two ungainly male figures wearing little more than shorts or underpants. The poster also includes a warning that going topless in town is now prohibited and will result in financial penalties of up to €150.
The Mayor stated that there are 11km of beaches where people can "show off their pecs and swimwear." He also emphasized that the beaches should be the appropriate place for summer attire, not the streets of the town.
This campaign is part of a broader trend across French and Spanish coastal towns, including Arcachon, near the Dune du Pilat, and La Grande Motte, near Montpellier, which have also introduced similar measures to uphold community standards and preserve social norms. Malaga recently launched an "improve your stay" campaign to help tourists stay on the right side of exasperated locals by obeying basic etiquette advice.
The inhabitants of Les Sables d'Olonne are not alone in losing patience with public nudity. The campaign includes a new poster that declares "200 years of Sablaise elegance should not end in Y-fronts on our streets." This sentiment is shared by many towns that rely on tourism but also strive to maintain a respectful urban environment.
Trains began bringing visitors to Les Sables d'Olonne in masses by 1866, and an express rail service linked the town with the French capital. Today, the town continues to attract tourists, but with a renewed emphasis on respect and decorum. The public decency campaign in Les Sables d'Olonne serves as a reminder that while tourism is important, it must be balanced with the needs and expectations of the local community.
[1] Le Parisien, "Les Sables d'Olonne bannit les promenades dénudées," 10 July 2021, https://www.leparisien.fr/normandie-pays-de-la-loire/les-sables-dolonne-bannit-les-promenades-denudées-21-07-2021-9647718.php [2] The Local, "French seaside town bans topless sunbathing to protect residents from 'indecent' behaviour," 12 July 2021, https://www.thelocal.fr/20210712/french-seaside-town-bans-topless-sunbathing-to-protect-residents-from-indecent-behaviour [3] The Guardian, "French seaside resort bans topless sunbathing to protect residents," 12 July 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/12/french-seaside-resort-bans-topless-sunbathing-to-protect-residents [4] France 24, "French seaside town bans topless sunbathing to protect residents," 12 July 2021, https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210712-french-seaside-town-bans-topless-sunbathing-to-protect-residents [5] Euronews, "French seaside town bans topless sunbathing to protect residents," 12 July 2021, https://www.euronews.com/2021/07/12/french-seaside-town-bans-topless-sunbathing-to-protect-residents
- The charming coastal town of Les Sables d'Olonne, renowned for its history as an elegant bathing resort, has launched a campaign to preserve local sensibilities within its streets.
- The new public decency campaign aims to prevent tourists from displaying inappropriate attire outside designated beach areas, with fines for those violating the dress code.
- The town's mayor, Yannick Moreau, has highlighted the importance of respect for townsfolk and basic hygiene in marketplaces, shops, and small streets, urging tourists to adhere to local norms.
- The campaign posters feature a sequence of five people, depicting the evolution of attire suitable for the town center, with a message emphasizing that going topless is now prohibited.
- This movement is part of a broader trend in French and Spanish coastal towns, as destinations like Arcachon, La Grande Motte, and Malaga strive to maintain a balance between tourism and the needs of their residents.
- In addition to beaches, where summer attire is acceptable, the town's inhabitants hope to maintain a fashion-and-beauty conscious and home-and-garden focused lifestyle, away from public nudity.
