guide
When summer ends, naturists do not put their habits away: they take them to the swimming pool. In several large cities, associations rent time slots in municipal pools so that members can swim without swimwear, and many naturist centres and campsites have heated indoor pools.
How does a naturist swimming session work, where can you find one and how do you sign up? Here is our guide to continuing to practise naturism all year round.
| Information | In brief |
|---|---|
| Principle | An association rents a time slot in a pool, reserved for its members |
| When? | Mostly in the evening or at weekends, from September to June |
| Access | Membership of the association and, often, a licence from the Fédération française de naturisme |
| Audience | Families, couples and single people, with a non-sexual atmosphere |
| Example | Paris, Roger Le Gall pool, with the Association des naturistes de Paris |
| Alternative | Naturist centres and campsites with a heated indoor pool |
In most cases, this is not a permanently naturist pool but a reserved time slot: a naturist association rents the pool from the city, outside the hours open to the public, often late in the evening. During that slot, the pool, changing rooms and sometimes the sauna or hammam are reserved for members, who swim without swimwear.
The rules are those of any pool, with a few extra naturist customs: shower before swimming, a towel to sit on the benches, no photos, and a respectful attitude. These sessions welcome regular swimmers as well as families looking for a relaxing moment.
Naturist time slots exist in several large cities, run by associations affiliated with the Fédération française de naturisme. A few examples:
Times change from season to season and depend on agreements with the cities. The most reliable option is to contact the local association directly; its details can be found in the directory of the Fédération française de naturisme.
Access to these sessions usually involves three steps:
Some associations ask single people to be introduced by a member or to attend a welcome meeting first: this helps preserve the family atmosphere of the sessions.
To swim without swimwear outside an association time slot, naturist centres and campsites are the simplest option. Many have a heated indoor pool, sometimes with a wellness area including a sauna and jacuzzi, so you can enjoy the water from spring until autumn. Some stay open for much of the year.
Find our tips on naturism out of season and our selection of naturist wellness spaces, along with the list of all naturist campsites so you can spot those with an indoor pool.
Association sessions are often very family-oriented: children learn to swim in a relaxed setting, without embarrassment about the body. The rules of discretion, in particular the ban on photos, apply to everyone. To go further, our guide to naturism with the family answers the questions parents ask most often.
The naturist pool is the best way to keep in touch with naturism between seasons. Association time slots are inexpensive and sociable, but require a bit of paperwork. For a first experience without joining anything, a naturist centre or campsite with a heated indoor pool is the simplest option.
Campsites marked “Partner” are Aimer Camper members and are shown first. All results match your search.