To remind people of French swimming pool rule

[Solmum1964]

Just a quick reminder for people holidaying in France this year. Many public swimming pools and campsites insist that boys and men wear proper (lycra) swimming trunks in their pools. These can be traditional brief style, swim shorts or jammers but must be tight around the leg for hygiene purposes. Looser swim shorts are not allowed.
I'm currently on holiday in France and have seen a number of men asked to leave the pool because they were not wearing appropriate swimwear.

A woman is less likely to have been sitting on a filthy seat on a bus or train in her bikini.

I wore a swimming top (to keep the sun off) at an outdoor lido in France and they made me take it off. No idea why- it was skintight and made of the same fabric as a swimming costume.

Does anyone know if women can wear full coverage swimsuits with long arms and legs in France? I have to wear one because I cant have sun on my skin due to pre cancerous moles.
Ive heard they make muslim women uncover over there.
Im not muslim but they might think my suit is some kind of religious thing.

I've only been in saunas in Germany and Switzerland, but I thought being naked in saunas is standard in Germanic countries. I got told off once because my feet weren't on my towel in the sauna (the rest of me was).

My husband always has 'skid' marks on his underpants at the end of the day 🤮 I don't thin̈k that my underwear has ever had any skidmarks on them...

Not normally allowed at public pools. The only cover up allowed on the side is a towel. I used to train very early or very late so I didn't burn.

Take a doctor's note saying that you mustn't expose your skin to the sunlight, and explaining why. It might even be a good idea to have a proper French translation, on a seperate piece of paper, in case an official claims to not understand it?

I'm just back from a French campsite. The impression I got was that the rule was to wear what was obviously swimwear in the pool. So there were a few people in rash vests in the pool. I dont think tshirts would have been allowed.

I dont think I saw many, if any, men in speedos. All were in lycra shorts when in the pool.

Something else to note was that there were no lifeguards on duty. This was clearly indicated and does seem to be fairly standard for campsite pools.

I’ve heard that in other countries there are stricter rules on washing before getting into the pool (naked, without swiming costumes on) and then what can be worn in the pool to reduce the amount of chlorine/ chemicals they have to put in the pool for it to be safe.

You have bigger issues than what to wear to go swimming.

Yeah.... @PlayingDevilsAdvocateisinteresting hasn't he learnt to wipe his ass?!

We have a Lido in town and you are asked to shower first. They did publish the stars on how much cleaner the water if people do this.

We got caught out with this. We only had loose swim shorts for 5yr old DS and were told off poolside. Miles from anywhere so we took him back in a (clean) pair of black briefs and the pool attendant let him in. 10 mins later DS managed to get a mouth full of pool water and threw up everywhere. I was mortified and went to ask for a bucket and mop and expected to be banned from the campsite given hygiene rules. The pool attendant barely batted an eyelid and took his squeegee thing and just flicked it all towards the grass. Made the hygiene aspect of proper swimming trunks feel a bit unbelievable tbh

Yes, definitely the case in Iceland and Denmark.

On hats, I keep the horrible swimming cap I had to buy when I went to a spa in Spain in my suitcase in case I have to use it again.

Swimming caps are often required too for both men and women.

I lived in France as a child/teenager and indoor pools require you to wear a proper swimsuit and a swimming cap which I think makes perfect sense.

I really wish we had the same rules here.

You don’t. My son has holidayed twice with his partner in Italy, never had to wear a swimming hat.

Sometimes the rules differ between hotel pools/holiday park pools and municipal pools.

We have been to France numerous times and stayed on dozens of campsites. We know this rule well and yet my DH forgets to pack his budgie smugglers every single time and has to buy some at the campsite shop 🙄 We’re on a French campsite right now and yes, he had to buy yet another pair yesterday.

Oh good Lord.

You can buy anti- uv swimsuits in many colours other than black.

Your husband needs to up his hygiene skills. No adult should be walking around in soiled underwear. That’s disgusting! 🤮

Yep, we fell foul of this a couple of years ago. First stop was a trip to supermarche who were making a killing from selling budgie smugglers at hugely inflated prices to idiot Brits like us. DH enjoyed strutting around in his, younger DS couldn’t give a hoot, but teenage DS was a bit embarrassed to start with. He soon realised that no one was looking at him and enjoyed the pool.

On a separate trip, I was told off for wearing shorts and T shirt next to the outdoor pool. I wasn’t swimming and had taken my shoes off, but apparently it was still a no go 🤷‍♀️

Have a word with your DH @PlayingDevilsAdvocateisinteresting! Unless he has a health condition or bowel disorder, I’d find that unacceptable and very off-putting.

I stayed at a French campsite with lots of pools last year. I asked them in advance about this and they said there was no rule. So probably worth getting in touch and finding out if you really need to know what to bring!