Coastal community imposes penalties on vacationers sporting revealing swimwear, enforcing modest swim attire regulations.
Les Sables-d'Olonne, a popular seaside destination in western France, has recently enforced strict clothing regulations for tourists. The new rules prohibit swimwear outside the beach area, including streets, markets, and shops, with violators facing fines of approximately $175 (or €150).
Tourists are encouraged to wear light summer dresses, relaxed shorts, or T-shirts once they leave the beach area. The local mayor emphasized that this rule is designed to promote respect for the local community and maintain basic public hygiene standards in markets and businesses.
This new dress code has sparked a debate about tourism and local culture, with concerns about overtourism and the desire to preserve the town's traditional atmosphere playing key roles. Les Sables-d'Olonne's regulations could potentially serve as a model for other French seaside towns.
In Chetaïbi, Algeria, the mayor issued a decree earlier this month banning Bermuda shorts for men, citing basic hygiene reasons. The town's municipal police officers are empowered to enforce the rule, with violators facing up to $175 in fines. However, after two days of controversy, the mayor reversed the order.
These rules in Les Sables-d'Olonne took effect by at least July 2025, marking a recent and notable change in local tourism policy. The town's beach resort, pictured above, stretches seven miles, allowing tourists to sport their swimsuits there but not in the town itself. Flyers displaying the rule remind tourists of this distinction.
| Aspect | Details | |-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Swimsuit ban in town | Swimwear forbidden outside beach areas, fined if violated (~$175/€150) | | Allowed attire | Light summer dresses, relaxed shorts, T-shirts outside beach | | Purpose | Respect for locals, public hygiene, cultural norms | | Location covered | Town streets, markets, shops (not the beach) | | Enforcement | Municipal police enforce fines | | Public reaction/Debate | Part of a broader discussion on overtourism and cultural respect |
[1] Associated Press, "Tourists in France Fined for Wearing Swimsuits in Town," [URL], accessed 2025-07-01. [2] "Les Sables-d'Olonne Implements Swimsuit Ban for Tourists," [URL], accessed 2025-07-01. [3] "Swimsuit Ban in Les Sables-d'Olonne Sparks Debate," [URL], accessed 2025-07-01. [4] "Chetaïbi Bans Bermuda Shorts for Men," [URL], accessed 2025-07-01. [5] "Chetaïbi Mayor Explains Bermuda Shorts Ban," [URL], accessed 2025-07-01.
Tourists visiting Les Sables-d'Olonne must adhere to the new fashion-and-beauty guidelines, which prohibit wearing swimsuits in town, but they can opt for a lifestyle of light summer dresses, relaxed shorts, or T-shirts outside the beach area. This travel destination's strict clothing regulations are aimed at promoting respect for the local community and maintaining public hygiene standards.
