Naturism in Paris: Bois de Vincennes, swimming pool and sites around the capital

Practising naturism in Paris? The idea may surprise, yet the capital offers several options: an official naturist area in the heart of the Bois de Vincennes, swimming sessions without swimwear all year round and, less than an hour’s drive away, association-run naturist grounds in the forests of Île-de-France.

Where to go, when, which rules to follow and how to join an association: here is our guide to naturism in Paris and Île-de-France.

Naturism in Paris in brief

The naturist area in the Bois de Vincennes

Since 2017, the City of Paris has opened a naturist area in the Bois de Vincennes every year, in the 12th arrondissement. It is a meadow in the heart of the wood, beside the ornithological reserve, between the Allée Royale and the Route Dauphine. The site is marked by signs and a code of good conduct is displayed there.

In 2026, the area is open from 29 March to 25 October, from 8am to 8.30pm until the end of September, then from 8am to 7pm in October. Access is free of charge, with no membership required. People come to sunbathe, read or picnic, following the usual naturist customs: no exhibitionist behaviour, no photos, no staring.

Swimming without swimwear: the Roger Le Gall pool

All year round, the Association des naturistes de Paris offers swimming slots at the Roger Le Gall pool, in the 12th arrondissement, notably on Thursday evenings for the 2026-2027 season. Access is reserved for members of the association. It is the ideal way to keep practising naturism in winter. To learn more about how these sessions work, see our guide to the naturist pool.

Naturist grounds around Paris

For a full day or a weekend in the open air, several association grounds welcome naturists less than an hour from the capital:

• the Club Gymnique de France, in Villecresnes, Val-de-Marne, one of the closest to Paris;
• the Club du Soleil de l’Essonne, in D’Huison-Longueville, on the edge of the forest;
• Les Hespérides, in Étréchy, Essonne.

These grounds usually operate on a membership basis, with the licence from the Fédération française de naturisme. Many welcome families and offer a pool, games and activities at weekends. You will find them all on our page of naturist campsites in Île-de-France.

How to join a naturist association in Paris?

Associations are the gateway to naturism in the city. They organise pool slots, outings, walks and access to their grounds. To join, you usually just need to get in touch, attend a first meeting and pay an annual subscription, often together with the licence from the Fédération française de naturisme.

What the law says in Paris

In Paris as elsewhere, nudity is permitted in designated places. The Bois de Vincennes area is governed by a municipal decree drawn up with the Fédération française de naturisme. Outside these places, nudity in public spaces remains prohibited. For full details of the legal framework and customs, see our article on naturism.

Our view

Paris is not the first city that comes to mind for naturism, but it offers real options: the Vincennes area for a first experience with no commitment, the pool for the winter, and the Île-de-France grounds for weekends with the family. A good way to discover naturism before setting off on holiday to a naturist campsite.