French campsites and the speedo issue

[hippospot]

Anyone have experience of Huttopia campsites in France?

Before booking I phoned them and asked about their speedo policy and was told that swimming shorts that are mid-thigh not knee-length would be acceptable.

I've made the assumption that Huttopia is popular with Brits and that as a consequence they'll be a bit more relaxed about swimwear rules than the average French pool.

I've scrutinised any pool scenes online that I could find and it does indeed look like DH and DS will be ok with 13" speedo swim shorts.

My fear is we'll get there and it'll be budgie smugglers compulsory and I'll have 50% of the family refusing to swim!

Huttopia (or any of the big chain ones) will be fine with board shorts its the small er french owned individual campsites that tend to be stricter. - It depends on their expected clientele

We have frequently seen the rule rigorously enforced. DH and DS would wear their normal shorts with tight shorts underneath. They would then just take outer shorts off to actually get in the water.

The rule I would like to see brought in would be an elasticity test! Seen far too many late middle aged men wearing the same trunks they bought in the 70s. Saggy, faded and a distinct risk that all is not safely gathered in!

Yup Speedos are the required usually they won't let you in without them

I had the rule enforced on DS when he was less than a year old!

It is true though that most girls have spent years being shoved in a skin-tight school speedo or bikini and just get on with it.

I also love the shorts and rash vest thing, but they are quite rare to see. God on hols with my inlaws I have had to point out to my BIL that actually, I've had five moles and a patch of odd cells removed already, and am a 40 something, I really don't need to be getting more of my kit off in public for anyone. They are in the states though where the not at all misogynistic rule always seems to be men: knee length baggy surf shorts, women: teeny tiny brazilian cut bikini half way up your poor old arse cheeks.

We've been to loads of Huttopias all over France & my male partner has been fine swimming in board shorts & I've worn short swimming shorts as well. No bother.

They are great sites by the way - you'll have a blast!

As an aside, Lidl have women's Mistral long sleeves rash vests in this week. Just bought one for myself.

I also love the shorts and rash vest thing, but they are quite rare to see. God on hols with my inlaws I have had to point out to my BIL that actually, I've had five moles and a patch of odd cells removed already, and am a 40 something, I really don't need to be getting more of my kit off in public for anyone

i really don’t care about getting my kit off, but as an irish ghost who can burn in the shade, with millions of moles and who had severe burns a fair few times as a child from being encouraged to get a tan, I prefer to cover up.

i find people do treat me like some sort of fun sucker. Not unlike a teetotaller, lots of comments indicating I’d have far more fun if I loosened up a bit and just wore a bikini like everyone else. Apparently a bit of sun will do me good, a tan looks healthy, and more recently I need to worry about my vitamin D 🙄

Ha, you are me! Exactly the same.

Why do they like men in tight speedos?!

I've been with men (male relatives and boyfriends) to a large indoor aqua park in France and they've been fine with swim shorts - like Rip Curl etc.

It’s a common rule in France. They don’t want men going in the pool in their “street” clothes for hygiene reasons, so they don’t allow surf shorts which could potentially be worn outside.

Why do they like men in tight speedos?!
Why wouldn't you? 😆🤐

That’s what we were told at the Yelloh site. DH got surprisingly into the budgies once he got over the initial embarrassment

I am at one now and boxer style speedos are fine. So just not the full on shorts. And they sell them in the shop here.

Whatever happens, I think DH and DS should just cope. Don't expect concessions because a proportion of those on the campsite are British.

And what is the female swim wear formalities… if you can have the bikinis up your arse (like on love island) males can wear skimpy dick showing mounds. Can’t be sexist

Be careful! I have come across French pools which are totally relaxed but others (in hotels and self catering complexes) that have also enforced swim caps for both genders.

I have slo come across pools that have been strict on the no swim shorts rule for men. I was permitted to go topless though.