Is Public Nudity Legal in France?
OfficialLegal in designated areas· Checked by Reto Pascal Wyss
Only in authorised naturist areas, such as beaches or zones opened by municipal order. Outside those areas, the City of Paris treats undressing in public as sexual exhibition under Penal Code art. 222-32, which carries up to one year in prison and a €15,000 fine.[2][1]
Main provision: Code pénal, art. 222-32 (exhibition sexuelle)
Designated nude beaches or tolerance?
Naturist areas on public land are authorised by municipal order (arrêté municipal); Paris, for example, opened a seasonal naturist zone in the Bois de Vincennes this way. The naturist-centre federation FEN says nudity is only allowed in an authorised naturist area.[2][3]
Private naturist clubs and resorts
Private naturist centres (campsites and resorts) are an established alternative to public beaches, according to the FEN network.[3]
Penalties
Art. 222-32: sexual exhibition imposed on others in a place visible to the public carries one year in prison and a €15,000 fine, rising to two years and €30,000 if the victim is under 15.[1]
Official naturist places in France
Places NudistMap lists as officially designated or naturist-only. Status comes from open data; check each place page.
- CHM Montalivet
- Euronat
- Village Naturiste Cap d'Agde
- pointe de Chemoulin
- Naturist Beach Les Jaunais
- Plage naturiste Cap d'Agde
- plage de la Lède
- Plage naturiste de Bonnieu
- plage de Toreilles
- Plage de La lagune
- Plage de la Mateille
- Plage des Culs Nus
- Plage naturiste de Merville
- Plage naturiste de Choiseau
- Plage de Nantois
- Plage naturiste de Ripaille
- Plage des Esclamandes
- Plage naturiste officielle - FKK zone
- Plage naturiste officielle - FKK zone
- nudist beach official
- Plage Sérignan naturiste
- Lous Suais Camping Naturiste
- Le Clapotis
- Domaine naturiste La Genèse
- Arnaoutchot Camping Naturiste
- Golf du domaine résidentiel naturiste La Jenny
- Camping Naturiste du Lac de Lislebonne
- Le Ran du Chabrier
- Plage des Grottes
- Le Trayas
- La beaume au coeur
- Verdon Provence
- L'Eden Avesnois
- Le Jardin de Gretuvs
- Domaine de Bagheera
- Nature et soleil de Normandie
- Camping naturiste Aimée Porcher
- Club Nature et Soleil de Sardan
- Camping naturiste La Chiappa
- Camping Millefleurs
Frequently asked questions
Is public nudity legal in France?
Only in authorised naturist areas, such as beaches or zones opened by municipal order. Outside those areas, the City of Paris treats undressing in public as sexual exhibition under Penal Code art. 222-32, which carries up to one year in prison and a €15,000 fine.
Are there official nude beaches in France?
Naturist areas on public land are authorised by municipal order (arrêté municipal); Paris, for example, opened a seasonal naturist zone in the Bois de Vincennes this way. The naturist-centre federation FEN says nudity is only allowed in an authorised naturist area.
Is nudity allowed at private naturist clubs in France?
Private naturist centres (campsites and resorts) are an established alternative to public beaches, according to the FEN network.
What is the penalty for public nudity in France?
Art. 222-32: sexual exhibition imposed on others in a place visible to the public carries one year in prison and a €15,000 fine, rising to two years and €30,000 if the victim is under 15.
Sources
- Code pénal, art. 222-32 (Légifrance) (statute)
- Ville de Paris: naturist area in the Bois de Vincennes (government)
- Fédération des Espaces Naturistes (FEN): naturism and French regulation (federation)
This page summarises the law for travellers and is not legal advice. Laws, local bylaws and enforcement change; follow local signs and check the sources below. Last checked 31 October 2026.