France’s nudist federation launches drive to 'spruce up’ image of naturism

[Danee]

Since the first nudist camp was opened in France in 1950 there are now more than 100 centres of "naturisme" around the country





Their campaign comes as it has emerged that France is the world's top nudist destination, with two million people, half of them foreign, flocking to nudist camps each year.


Since the first nudist camp was opened in France in 1950, there are now more than 100 centres of "naturisme", as the French call it, around the country along as many beaches and rivers.


Despite its enduring success, the French nudist federation has decided it is time to help "spruce up" its image.


"Nudism, which is above all a philosophy of life in harmony with nature, suffers from a tarnished image, with some people wrongly associating nudity with sexual practices," Armand Jamier, of the federation told Le Parisien newspaper.


He added: "Many people have the enduring feeling that (nudism) only interests the aged, whereas in the past five years, nudism has been attracting more and more families."






The number flocking to nudist camps in France have risen by about eight per cent per year since 2009, he said, with many pulling in a new clientele with activities such as nude golf, volleyball or horse riding.
The young nudists' association of France, AJNF, created four years ago for 14 to 27-year-olds, has multiplied efforts to bring in the younger generation, organising, for example, a walk in the Calanques de Marseille, the Mediterranean city's famed nature reserve of cliffs, coves and forests.
The drive to modernise nudism's image in France comes a month after a 41-year-old British man was charged by French police suspected of having filming young teenage girls on the French nudist beach at Cap d'Agde with a secret miniature camera hidden in a bunch of keys. The huge family-oriented nudist resort welcomes around 45,000 visitors on a daily basis during the summer season.
It also comes a month after a nudist rambler appeared in court after he bumped into a mother and son while on a nude nature walk in the Dordogne.


Although he dived into the bushes, the mother took him to court for indecent exposure. If found guilty he could face up to one year in prison, a 15,000-euro fine and seeing his name added to the sex offenders list.
He argued he simply wanted to be "in harmony with nature" and fellow naturists are demanding a change in the law so that " people are not simply punished for being naked".

[mikeisnude]

Smart move.   I hope organizations here are taking notice of this and do something similar.

[Dan]

France is the most popular tourist destination, period. Not just with nudism.

And for a reason, it's pretty awesome here. :-)