Latest news with #YannickMoreau
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
You could be fined £130 for going shirtless in France this summer
The French are once again in a lather about what to wear at the seaside. This is less of a problem in Britain, where penguins in duffel coats may still feel chilly by Morecambe Bay. In summertime southern France, it is quite possible to take one's shirt off without turning blue. And that's OK on the beach. Almost obligatory, really. Problems arise when shirtless folk leave the beach to amble into town – along the prom, into shops, maybe even into bars and restaurants. Even in friskier resorts like Cannes, St Tropez and La Grande Motte, people have apparently had enough of these strolling nude torsos. Councils are cracking down. So are they in other frolicsome spots: Nice, Palavas, Cassis, Arcachon. Go shirtless off the beach round there and you risk a €150 (£130) fine. The mayor of Les Sables-d'Olonne, Yannick Moreau, reportedly explained: 'The Sablais don't want people walking around half-naked.' The Sablais are clearly not alone. The brouhaha comes in the wake of equal excitement about the question of female toplessness on the beach itself. Not long ago, on a Med beach near Perpignan, police officers ordered three ladies to cover up. There had been a complaint from a nearby family. Cue national outrage from all corners. Requiring women to cover up was a threat to liberty, French culture and perhaps even the national identity. Ironically, the victory for toplessness – for victory it proved to be – came as reports suggested that fewer and fewer French women favoured going topless. Apparently, this was due to fears of skin cancer, ogling, and worries about online 'breast-shaming' – yet another moronic trend for which social media is responsible. More irksome yet, however, has been the matter of burkinis. Created in 2004 by an Australian of Lebanese origin, the burkini is a swimsuit which covers all bar the face, feet and hands. Its appearance on French beaches has outraged many. Some 20 resorts have tried to ban its wearing on the grounds either of hygiene and security (yes, me neither) or because it manifests a religious affiliation. This always struck me as odd. Telling women what to wear is what they do in totalitarian states, not democracies. And, if we truly are in a conflict of cultures, this is an absurdly trivial element. (Richard the Lionheart before Acre: 'Hold the siege, fellows; we need to sort out the swimwear.') And what of nuns, who I've seen gaily playing soccer in full habit – veil, cap, the works – on a Languedoc beach? At any event, the courts subsequently overturned all the bans, so burkini fans are in the clear. Which brings us back to the shirtless issue. (Women are involved, too; they are required to don a T-shirt or shirt and not wander about in just bikini tops.) Aesthetically, this is clearly a win. I have been seated next to large, shirt-free men in seaside cafés and been obliged to re-think my approach to boeuf bourguignon. Sadly, even in France, not all men are ripped like the new-look Sacha Baron Cohen. Some – many – are tankers, widened by over-exposure to foie gras, pâté-en-croûte and chocolate mousse. There is, though, a strange irony at work here, too – for France is generally pretty good at near-nakedness. In Paris, the Crazy Horse and Moulin Rouge welcome families with stages full of bare flesh. The great Josephine Baker became the highest paid female entertainer of the inter-war years, initially by dancing topless. In truth, France is gifted at full nakedness, too. Following Germany's lead, naturism kicked off in France in the 1920s thanks to two brothers, both doctors. Andre and Gaston Durville promoted 'psycho-naturism' – healthy eating, physical and mental exercise, exposure of the body to the air and sun – first on a Seine river island near Paris, then on Île du Levant off Hyères in the Med. Subsequently, France has evolved into the world's number-one naturist nation. Some 460 sites annually host around two million French people (and about as many foreign visitors). It's been tolerated for decades, and finally gained a basis in law in 1994. Naturism is legal in designated, restricted zones. (Strip off elsewhere and the fine is up to €15,000/£13,000). One of these zones remains the Île du Levant, now a real naturist settlement with hotels, restaurants and nudity obligatory only by the sea. It's optional in the village. I was there once, had a look round fully clothed, chatted with a fat fellow naked except for a cap – he looked like a space hopper with a hat – and returned to the boat. I'm happy that people enjoy that kind of life, happy that there are places where they can lead it and very happy indeed that I shall never have to go back. I'm happy too that France's tolerance of (semi-) nakedness remains measured, so will be keeping the shirtless out of my way as I saunter the sea-front at La Grande Motte or Palavas-les-Flots. In truth, I'd really like the local authorities to go much further, on the sea-front but also on the beach. France has already, since late June, got rid of smoking on beaches. I'd also insist that tattoos be covered up and speedos too, possibly with a three-piece suit – the only decent way to present the average male body. I'd put a stop to beach music (notably half-wits strumming guitars under the mistaken impression that they are wandering minstrels), to mobiles, to frisbees, and to the shaking out of towels, thus creating sandstorms. I'd also like to end all beach sports – except cricket, which I'd impose. It's long past time that the French embraced a civilised summer sport which didn't involve biking about the country, holding up the traffic. I'd further like to impose the wearing of whites – but that's maybe a long shot. Better let the shirtless thing bed in first.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Fox News
Beach town cracks down on half-naked tourists with hefty fines for inappropriate attire
Another vacation destination is calling out beachgoers over their swimsuits as hot spots continue to combat the disruptions of overtourism. The seaside resort of Les Sables-d'Olonne, France, has implemented a ban against tourists frolicking around town in their swimwear. Yannick Moreau, the town mayor, took to his Facebook page to remind locals and tourists that it "is forbidden to walk around topless or in a swimsuit." "It's a question of respect for locals who don't want people wandering around their town half-naked," Moreau wrote. "It's also a rule for basic hygiene in our markets, our shops and our streets," he added. "It is also an elementary rule of public hygiene in our markets, our businesses, our alleys." Municipal police officers are empowered to enforce the rule, with violators facing up to $175 in fines. The town's campaign is accompanied by the slogan "In Les Sables d'Olonne, respect doesn't go on holiday." Flyers displaying the rule remind tourists that their beaches stretch seven miles, allowing tourists to sport their suits there – but not in the town. Les Sables-d'Olonne sits on the Atlantic coast of western France. It's known for being one of the largest seaside spots in the European country. Over 100 million international visitors traveled to France in 2024, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Earlier this month, the mayor of Chetaïbi, Alegeria, called for longer and looser shorts on men — issuing a decree banning them from walking around in Bermuda shorts. "These summer outfits disturb the population. They go against our society's moral values and sense of decency," Mayor Layachi Allaoua said, as Fox News Digital previously reported. "The population can no longer tolerate seeing foreigners wandering the streets in indecent clothing," he added. Officials in the coastal city of Annaba then called on the mayor to rescind his order. After two days of controversy, the mayor reversed the order — saying he wanted to preserve "peace and tranquility" for both locals and tourists and that he was not influenced by Islamist pressure, according to AP.
7NEWS
2 days ago
- 7NEWS
French resort town gives half-naked visitors a dressing-down
A French resort town has introduced fines for people found to be walking around topless or in their swimsuits anywhere other than on the beach. Authorities in Les Sables d'Olonne, located in the Vendée region on France's Atlantic coast, have announced fines of up to €150 ($265) for those walking around the town 'half-naked,' according to a Facebook post from mayor Yannick Moreau, published Tuesday. Railing against topless men, Moreau criticised the 'indecent behaviour.' 'It's a question of respect for locals who don't want people wandering around their town half naked,' he wrote. 'It's also a rule for basic hygiene in our markets, our shops and our streets,' added Moreau, who called on local police to ensure that the rule is enforced. 'If you want to show off your pecs and your best swimming shorts in Les Sables d'Olonne there are 11 kilometres of beach at your disposal.' Moreau's post was accompanied by an image of a poster announcing the fine, alongside the tagline 'In Les Sables d'Olonne, respect doesn't go on holiday.' The move appears to have been well received, with many Facebook users leaving positive comments under the mayor's post. 'Thank you mayor. I find this completely intolerable,' wrote Dominique Camio-Martial. Claire Gourlaouen added: 'My parents are shopkeepers, sometimes they ask people to get dressed.' However, some suggested there are more important things to worry about, such as dealing with crime. Les Sables d'Olonne is the latest in a string of French towns cracking down on what is seen as disrespectful behaviour. In Arcachon, another popular holiday spot on the west coast, authorities have also introduced a €150 fine for anyone walking around town in a state of undress. In the south of the country, the town of La Grande-Motte has also introduced a €150 fine for scanty dress in any part of the town other than the beach or its seafront promenade. It's not just France that is trying to improve visitors' behaviour. In 2023, authorities in the Spanish city of Malaga announced that anyone seen in the street or public spaces without clothes, or wearing only underwear, would face a fine of up to €750. And in September last year, the city hall posted billboards that aim to educate tourists on appropriate behaviour during their visit, including one that reminds them to wear clothes.
9 News
2 days ago
- 9 News
French resort town to fine people who walk around in swimwear
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here A French resort town has introduced fines for people found to be walking around topless or in their swimsuits anywhere other than on the beach. Authorities in Les Sables d'Olonne, located in the Vendée region on France's Atlantic coast, have announced fines of up to €150 ($266) for those walking around the town "half-naked", according to a Facebook post from mayor Yannick Moreau. Railing against topless men, Moreau criticised the "indecent behaviour." Authorities in Les Sables d'Olonne have announced fines of up to €150 ($266) for those walking around the town "half-naked". (Getty) "It's a question of respect for locals who don't want people wandering around their town half naked," he wrote. "It's also a rule for basic hygiene in our markets, our shops and our streets," added Moreau, who called on local police to ensure that the rule is enforced. "If you want to show off your pecs and your best swimming shorts in Les Sables d'Olonne, there are 11 kilometres of beach at your disposal," he said. Les Sables d'Olonne is the latest in a string of French towns cracking down on what is seen as disrespectful behaviour. (Getty) Moreau's post was accompanied by an image of a poster announcing the fine, alongside the tagline "In Les Sables d'Olonne, respect doesn't go on holiday". The move appears to have been well received, with many Facebook users leaving positive comments under the mayor's post. "Thank you, mayor. I find this completely intolerable," wrote Dominique Camio-Martial. Claire Gourlaouen added: "My parents are shopkeepers, sometimes they ask people to get dressed." However, some suggested there are more important things to worry about, such as dealing with crime. Les Sables d'Olonne is the latest in a string of French towns cracking down on what is seen as disrespectful behaviour. In Arcachon, another popular holiday spot on the west coast, authorities have also introduced a €150 fine for anyone walking around town in a state of undress. In the south of the country, the town of La Grande-Motte has also introduced a €150 fine for scanty dress in any part of the town other than the beach or its seafront promenade. And it's not just France that is trying to improve visitors' behaviour. In 2023, authorities in the Spanish city of Malaga announced that anyone seen in the street or public spaces without clothes, or wearing only underwear, would face a fine of up to €750 ($1332). And in September last year, the city hall posted billboards that aim to educate tourists on appropriate behaviour during their visit, including one that reminds them to wear clothes. World France council Travel tourism Europe CONTACT US
New York Post
3 days ago
- New York Post
French hotspot clutching their pearls over tourists wearing swimsuits to local beach shops
In the battle between flip-flops and formality, this French beach town has drawn its line in the sand. In the coastal town of Les Sables-d'Olonne, the sight of bikini babes and shirtless men wandering from the beach to the bakery may soon become a thing of the past. 3 Beach-goers will now be fined for walking around in their swimsuits. Universal Images Group via Getty Images The town, nestled along the Vendée coast on France's Atlantic side, has introduced a new measure aimed at banning 'half-naked' people wandering around town. Tourists caught walking through the streets in swimsuits or without shirts will now face fines of up to €150 ($175), according to a Facebook post by the town's mayor, Yannick Moreau. 'This is indecent behavior that has a vicious tendency to develop summer after summer,' he wrote. 'So it's time to remind clearly: it's forbidden to walk around naked or in a swimsuit at Sables d'Olonne. A little outfit, please!' The regulation has sparked both praise and debate in a country where tensions over public order are growing. 'It's a question of respect for locals who don't want people wandering around their town half-naked,' wrote Moreau. 'It's also a rule for basic hygiene in our markets, our shops and our streets.' 3 Tourists caught walking through the streets in swimsuits or without shirts will now face fines of up to €150 ($175), according to a Facebook post by the town's mayor, Yannick Moreau. Facebook/Yannick Moreau The fine was announced with a disapproving slogan: 'In Les Sables d'Olonne, respect doesn't go on holiday.' The campaign reminds visitors that there are 7 miles of sandy beach available for sunbathing and swimwear — but the town itself, Moreau insists, demands a basic level of decorum. The initiative has been broadly welcomed by locals. 'Thank you, Mayor. I find this completely intolerable,' one resident, Dominique Camio-Martial, commented on the mayor's post. Claire Gourlaouen shared similar sentiments: 'My parents are shopkeepers; sometimes they ask people to get dressed.' And Les Sables-d'Olonne isn't the only one implementing a dress code. Similar measures have been introduced in Arcachon and La Grande-Motte, where fines for beachwear beyond designated areas are now also €150. In Cassis, a town along the Mediterranean, local authorities say the crackdown is part of preserving 'the elegance of the town.' The slogan there is equally pointed: 'When going from the beach to the town, we get dressed again.' France is not the only country pushing back against what it sees as unruly or disrespectful tourism. Last year, in Malaga, Spain, authorities introduced a €750 ($870) fine for tourists walking around town in underwear or less, accompanied by a public awareness campaign urging visitors to behave appropriately in public. Back in Les Sables-d'Olonne, police have already begun patrolling to enforce the new dress code. Uniformed officers are reportedly stopping tourists, issuing fines, and handing out warnings to those who aren't fully clothed. 3 The campaign reminds visitors that there are 7 miles of sandy beach available for sunbathing and swimwear — but the town itself, Moreau insists, demands a basic level of decorum. philippe Devanne – While the campaign to rein in bare buns has received support, some residents have pointed out the glaring contrast between the state's swift action on shirtless tourists and its slow response to more pressing concerns like rising violent crime. Across France, towns are reporting increasing levels of gang-related violence, knife attacks, and drug trafficking, with some areas becoming no-go zones for police without reinforcements. Critics argue that the government's focus on clothing infractions, while hard crime worsens, reflects a broader issue of chaos. Still, for Mayor Moreau and his supporters, the swimwear ban is about maintaining public decency and the town's identity. 'We are not nudists,' he declared.
