Town in France imposes restrictions on scantily-clad vacationers
In several popular holiday spots, authorities are cracking down on disrespectful behavior, with a focus on enforcing stricter rules regarding attire. One such town is Les Sables d'Olonne, located on France's Atlantic coast, which has implemented fines for tourists walking around town in a state of undress, such as topless or in swimsuits, outside of designated beach areas.
The mayor of Les Sables d'Olonne, Yannick Moreau, announced the new rule in a Facebook post, criticizing "indecent behavior." The post was accompanied by an image of a poster announcing the fine and the tagline "In Les Sables d'Olonne, respect doesn't go on holiday." The fines for such violations can reach up to 150 euros ($175).
Similarly, the town of La Grande-Motte, a southern French resort, has introduced a 150 euro fine for scanty dress anywhere other than on the beach or seafront promenade. Other notable French towns enforcing these rules include Cannes and towns along the Côte d’Azur, with fines up to €38 (~$45) for walking around in just a bikini or shirtless.
These attire regulations are part of a broader effort to balance visitor enjoyment with local norms and public hygiene. Other European destinations like Split, Croatia, have imposed similar fines for wearing swimwear or underwear in public non-beach areas. Santorini, Greece, has also enforced behavioral rules for tourists, although specific fines related to attire outside swim areas were not detailed.
In response to the new rules, many Facebook users left positive comments under Moreau's post, including Dominique Camio-Martial who wrote, "Thank you mayor. I find this completely intolerable." Claire Gourlaouen, a shopkeeper in Les Sables d'Olonne, stated that her parents have asked people to get dressed. Some individuals, however, suggested that dealing with crime should be a higher priority in Les Sables d'Olonne.
In 2023, Malaga authorities posted billboards reminding tourists of appropriate behavior during their visit, including a reminder to wear clothes. Moreau suggested that those who wish to show off their bodies can do so on the town's 11 kilometers of beach.
These stricter attire rules are not limited to France; Malaga, Spain, has imposed a fine of up to €750 for being in the street or public spaces without clothes or only in underwear. The resort town of Les Sables d'Olonne, with its long stretch of sandy beaches and charming town centre, remains a popular holiday destination, and visitors are encouraged to respect local customs and norms during their visit.
- The stricter attire rules in Les Sables d'Olonne, France, are part of a wider initiative to maintain harmony between visitor enjoyment and local norms, as well as public hygiene.
- Other European destinations, such as Split, Croatia, have enforced similar fines for wearing swimwear or underwear in public non-beach areas, joining the trend of balancing visitor pleasure with local standards.
- In contrast, some individuals believe that addressing crime should be a higher priority in towns like Les Sables d'Olonne, rather than focusing on attire regulations.
- The resort town of Malaga, Spain, has imposed a fine of up to €750 for being in the street or public spaces without clothes or only in underwear, similar to the stricter attire rules being implemented in various popular holiday spots worldwide.
