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Original poster

Mens swimwear in France

87 replies

Changeeman · 05/04/2025 08:28

What can men actually wear to swim in France? I know traditionally it was mandatory to wear speedo trunks, is this still the case?

My DH has his knickers in a right old twist so trying trying work out what will be acceptable.

We'll be staying at a Yelloh! campsite.

OP posts:
Flubadubba · 05/04/2025 08:30

Looks like it's a no swimming shorts pool, so they would need to be more fitted.

'For health and safety reasons, swimming shorts are not permitted in the pools, and wristbands must be worn'

Source: https://www.yellohvillage.co.uk/camping/les_grands_pins/bathing_area

Sharktoothgirl · 05/04/2025 08:32

Get a pair of skin tight trunks. Most men wear boxer shaped ones rather than speedo shaped ones. In many pools, including in privately owned campsites, they insist on skin tight swimwear fabric ones and the not loose swim shorts/board shorts type. Don’t worry about feeling self conscious in them, all the men and boys will be wearing the same thing, regardless of their body type. Stick a pair of swim shorts in too in case your camp site does allow loose swim shorts or you decide to go to the beach or lake.

Sharktoothgirl · 05/04/2025 08:33

If you’ll have a car with you, every decathlon or similar sports shop in France will have stacks of inexpensive suitable swimwear.

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Original poster
Changeeman · 05/04/2025 08:44

Do we think something like this may be okay?

Mens swimwear in France
OP posts:
GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 05/04/2025 08:44

Very often ‘budgie smugglers’ are required. Dh once had to buy some in order to accompany the Gdcs.

Branleuse · 05/04/2025 08:46

fitted swimshorts, jammers or budgie smugglers are fine.

Theyve just got to be fitted or tight proper swimwear and not the board shorts type.

Thisiswhathings · 05/04/2025 08:46

I'd say they aren't going to be the right type

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr · 05/04/2025 08:46

Changeeman · 05/04/2025 08:44

Do we think something like this may be okay?

I don't think so on their own, but how about skin-tight cycling-short-type swimmers with those shorts over the top? They'd see the skin-tight ones as they'd be longer.

doodleschnoodle · 05/04/2025 08:47

Look up jammers. They need to be tight, not loose. Those ones you posted look like looser swimming shorts to me.

doodleschnoodle · 05/04/2025 08:52

Jammers

Tight shorts

This type of thing. Tightly fitting. And budgie smugglers if that’s more his bag!

Original poster
Changeeman · 05/04/2025 08:53

Oh this is going to be fun 😩

OP posts:
doodleschnoodle · 05/04/2025 08:53

Snap @Branleuse !

Thisiswhathings · 05/04/2025 08:54

Why is it such an issue?

Original poster
Changeeman · 05/04/2025 08:55

@thisiswhathings for the French? Or for my DH?

OP posts:
Thisiswhathings · 05/04/2025 08:55

For your husband

Thisiswhathings · 05/04/2025 08:57

Although it's only an issue I think for the French , most other countries manage in pools without them.

Original poster
Changeeman · 05/04/2025 08:57

He's just more of a modest person I guess and this kind of swimwear will be out of his comfort zone

OP posts:
Snowfairyxx · 05/04/2025 09:00

We went to a Eurocamp in France last year and my husband work his normal swim shorts similar to that picture and was fine. Loads of others wore the same.
We were not too sure but would have just bought some of the longer length fitted ones if needed. You could maybe buy some longer length fitted ones to take as well incase. I don't think they are too strict on all of the holiday parks but not sure about yelloh. Although my sister has been to one and sure her husband wore the looser trunks.

Oriunda · 05/04/2025 09:00

We were at a Yelloh campsite last year. I don't remember seeing budgie smugglers, tbh. My son wore regular swim shorts.

soupyspoon · 05/04/2025 09:00

A lot of people dont like wearing skin tight clothing , its obvious isnt it?

I, along with lots of women, dont wear swimming costumes, I wear baggy shorts and t shirt to swim in. Lots of men are the same.

NeedWineNow · 05/04/2025 09:02

My brother (who is, it has to be said, quite a large lump) had the tight shorts-type swimwear when he and my SIL went to France. Unbeknownst to her he did order some budgie smugglers on the QT and put them on the first morning they were there. SIL apparently nearly bust a gut laughing and told him she wouldn’t be going anywhere in public with him ever again so the shorts it was 🤣🤣

Actually to be fair he said they were far more comfortable for swimming than the usual baggy swim shorts.

helpfulperson · 05/04/2025 09:02

Thisiswhathings · 05/04/2025 08:57

Although it's only an issue I think for the French , most other countries manage in pools without them.

Its because they tend to manage pools without chlorine so need to ensure they are not contaminated. The budgie smugglers is to ensure they are not worn as normal shorts and therefore possibly have sand/soil etc on them and if you have been on the beach in them it will wash off in the pre pool shower.

hinterkitten · 05/04/2025 09:03

We went to a Yelloh! Campsite last year and saw the staff approaching men (actually mainly teen boys) who weren’t wearing the correct swimwear to ask them to change or leave

TumbledTussocks · 05/04/2025 09:04

Changeeman · 05/04/2025 08:44

Do we think something like this may be okay?

No way, according to the requirement posted above.

you’re looking for something more like the shorts you’d buy with a ladies tankini - swimming cossie material right on your skin.