A large section of a popular park in Paris has been set aside for visitors who to enjoy spending time in their own skin — and nothing else.
For the next six weeks, a 7,300 square meter (about 78,600 square mile) area of the Bois de Vincennes, the city’s largest public park, will be classified as a “clothing optional” zone, where naturists are free to enjoy each other’s company in the buff.
Operating from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. until October 15, the trial area is designed to be indicative of the city’s “open-minded” vision.
“The creation of an area in the Bois de Vincennes where naturism will be authorized is part of our open-minded vision for the use of Parisian public spaces,” Penelope Komites, a deputy mayor in charge of the city’s parks, told AFP.
Other park users won’t be left totally in the dark, with signs implemented to let them know that the section near the park’s bird reserve will be experimenting with the new set-up.
But any nudists who choose to visit the park will have to be on their best behavior, as officials have already made clear that no voyeurism or exhibitionism will be tolerated in order to assure respect for those making the most of their natural state.
Julien Claude-Penegry of the Paris Naturists Association estimated that thousands of people in the region will want to take advantage of the site.
“It’s a true joy, it’s one more freedom for naturists,” Claude-Penegry told AFP.
“It shows the city’s broad-mindedness and will help change people’s attitudes toward nudity, toward our values and our respect for nature.”
Parisians already have one public pool where they can swim in the buff three times a week, and across the country some 460 areas are reserved for naked enjoyment, including 155 camping sites and 73 beaches.
More than 2.6 million people in France have made nudism a regular habit, according to the France 4 Naturism association.
But anyone found guilty of stripping off in a public area not specifically designated for nudists could be eligible for a fine of up to €15,000 ($17,8824), or face a year in a French prison.