Frustration mounts among local residents in a French town due to inconsiderate tourism behavior, involving inappropriate public acts.
In the picturesque town of Les Sables d'Olonne, located on the Vendeé departement's Atlantic coast, a new public decency campaign has been launched to maintain local decorum, hygiene, and respect for residents [1][2][3][4].
The Mayor, Yannick Moreau, has taken a firm stance against what he describes as "indecent" and "increasing summer after summer" behavior of walking around half-naked outside designated beach areas. As a result, tourists visiting Les Sables d'Olonne will now face fines of up to €150 (approximately $175-$267) for wearing swimsuits or going topless in markets, shops, and streets [1].
The new rule is enforced in an effort to show respect for the townsfolk and address basic hygiene concerns. The campaign's poster, adorned with an evolving sequence of five people, starts with fully-clothed individuals and ends with two ungainly male figures wearing little more than shorts or underpants [4].
Les Sables d'Olonne has a rich history as an elegant bathing resort, with trains bringing visitors in masses by 1866 [3]. The town's reputation for sophistication is reflected in the new poster's slogan: "200 years of Sablaise elegance should not end in Y-fronts on our streets."
This crackdown on public nudity is not limited to Les Sables d'Olonne. Other French towns, such as Arcachon and La Grande-Motte, have also implemented similar policies to curb disrespectful tourist behavior outside beach zones [1].
Across the border in Spain, Malaga has also imposed fines on scantily-clad tourists as part of a broader European trend balancing tourism with local culture and decency standards [1][2]. Destinations in Spain, including Platja d'Aro near Barcelona, Seville, and Malaga, have launched "improve your stay" campaigns to help tourists obey basic etiquette advice [1].
The Mayor of Les Sables d'Olonne, Yannick Moreau, emphasizes that there are 11km of beaches where people can display their bodies and swimwear freely [1]. With this campaign, Les Sables d'Olonne aims to strike a balance between maintaining its reputation as a sophisticated resort town and ensuring a pleasant and respectful environment for all visitors and residents.
[1] https://www.thelocal.fr/20210729/french-town-cracks-down-on-public-nudity-with-fines-for-tourists [2] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/29/french-town-cracks-down-on-public-nudity-with-fines-for-tourists [3] https://www.britannica.com/place/Les-Sables-d-Olonne [4] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58142386
- Tourists visiting the town of Les Sables d'Olonne must be aware of the new public decency campaign, as they may face fines for wearing swimsuits or going topless in markets, shops, and streets.
- The campaign aims to preserve the town's 200-year-old reputation for elegance, as Les Sables d'Olonne was established as an elegant bathing resort by 1866.
- Similarly, other French towns like Arcachon and La Grande-Motte have implemented policies to curb disrespectful tourist behavior outside beach zones.
- Malaga in Spain has also imposed fines on scantily-clad tourists, reflecting a broader European trend of balancing tourism with local culture and decency standards.
- Destinations in Spain, such as Platja d'Aro near Barcelona, Seville, and Malaga, have launched "improve your stay" campaigns to help tourists understand and adhere to basic etiquette advice.
- According to the Mayor of Les Sables d'Olonne, Yannick Moreau, there are 11km of beaches where people can freely display their bodies and swimwear without the fear of fines.
- The new campaign in Les Sables d'Olonne emphasizes the importance of respect for locals, hygiene, and maintaining a pleasant and respectful environment for all visitors and residents, thus ensuring the town's long-term appeal as a popular tourist destination.
