Blushing Brits on Holiday: How Body-Shy Dads Can Get Around France’s Swim Shorts Ban
France Swim Shorts Rules for men
France is famous for cheese, wine, fashion… and not allowing swim shorts at public pools.
Baths across the nation have strict rules on what swimmers can wear, with many declaring a firm ‘non’ to shorts in favour of tight-fitting trunks.
This presents a problem for British men who shudder at the thought of wearing the skimpy slip de bain at the pool during their holiday.
In a survey of 1,700 British dads by French holiday park specialist Siblu, almost two thirds said they are not confident wearing the tight trunks that are the norm with French hommes.
Of those questioned, only 15% expressed complete self-confidence in wearing skimpy swimmers.
So, to save dads’ blushes, Siblu has picked out five holiday parks in France that have brilliant pool complexes for families and have said ‘au revoir’ to restrictions on swim shorts.
FIVE FRENCH HOLIDAY PARKS THAT ALLOW SWIM SHORTS IN POOLS
Domaine de Kerlann, Brittany
This is one of Brittany's best known holiday villages, with indoor and outdoor pools, adventure playgrounds and children’s clubs making it an easy choice for families. There are five superb sandy beaches within five miles, and the local town of Pont Aven is so pretty it inspired the artist Paul Gauguin, https://siblu.co.uk/domaine-de-kerlann
Domaine de Dugny
Set on the north bank of the Loire River, Domaine de Dugny is the perfect base for exploring the region’s famous chateaux and vineyards. Relaxing on site takes place at the hearted indoor and outdoor pools and there are waterslides for family races, https://siblu.co.uk/domaine-de-dugny
Le Bois Masson & Le Bois Dormant, Vendee
These two holiday parks in the popular Vendee region, on the coast and south of the Loire River, are set across the road from each other, so families can use the facilities at each. That means a double dose of heated outdoor pools, and water chutes, https://siblu.co.uk/le-bois-masson
Les Charmettes, Charente Maritime
Les Charmettes, on the sunny west coast in Charente Maritime, is one of the biggest holiday villages in France, with a pool complex and entertainment set up to suit. There are indoor and outdoor pools with slides and fountains, tennis courts, kids’ clubs for tots to teenagers, and nightly entertainment, https://siblu.co.uk/les-charmettes
La Reserve, Aquitaine
Nestled in a forest in the south west region of Aquitaine, Siblu's La Reserve holiday village sits on the banks of Lake Biscarosse, so families can laze around the large outdoor pool, or grab a spot on the lakeside beach and enjoy the shallow warm waters of the lake. Those who head to the coast will find big golden beaches and waves made for surfing, plus the dramatic Dune du Pyla, the tallest sand dune in Europe, https://siblu.co.uk/la-reserve
HOW MEN’S SWIMWEAR HAS EVOLVED ACROSS THE AGES
The French fashion for tight-fitting trunks goes back to 1903 when French regulators decided restrictions were needed to stop men wearing baggy swimsuits at the beach or around town and then bringing back dust, sand and sweat when they enjoy a dip in the pool.
Without the same rules in place, swimwear styles for British men have constantly changed.
Swimwear came to prominence in the early 1900s, when the Victorians introduced all-in-ones reaching down to the elbow and below the knees.
The 1920s saw the launch of the Speed Suit, with fitted trunks and armholes instead of long sleeves.
In the 1930s, Olympic swimmer and Tarzan actor Johnny Weismuller championed swimming gear with low cut arms on a tank top, a naturally-fitting waist and a pair of full trunks.
A new flamboyance came to swimwear design in the 1950s, with the middle-classes championing loud designs and matching boxer-style trunks and shirts.
The 1960s saw the launch of Speedos, with swimming shorts made shorter than ever before.
Hippie chic ruled the 1970s and men's swimwear got longer and baggier, with cutoff shorts a favourite.
Musclebound posers in the 1980s ensured that tight lycra briefs became popular again - all the better to compliment big muscles.
Swimwear went long again in the 1990s, with loosely-fitting surf board shorts all the rage.
And into the 2000s, hemlines came back above the knee and shorts with bold patterns became the favourite option.
