Naturism in France

France is represented on the International Naturist Federation (INF) by the Fédération française de naturisme (FFN).

[1] In 1907, supported by his superiors, Abbé Legrée encouraged the students at his catholic college to bathe nude on the rocky beaches near Marseille.

Marcel Kienné de Mongeot, who came from a noble family and who was an aviator in the Great War, is credited with starting naturism in France in 1920.

André and Gaston Durville opened a naturist health centre, edited the La vie sage (1924) and bought a 70-hectare (170-acre) site on the Île du Levant on which they established the Héliopolis.

SOCNAT provided the management and financial stability to the movement and runs 5 centres in France and one in Spain.

[4] Holiday centres started to form cooperative marketing groups and aim for 5 star status.

In this benign climate, Randonue, an unauthorised form of naturisme sauvage has become popular, and areas traditionally known for discreet sunbathing have been revisited.