Did you know that men/boys are not allowed to wear board shorts/loose-style swimming trunks in public swimming pools in France? Well now you do! I’m sure there could be some exceptions to the rule as I certainly haven’t visited every public swimming pool in the country but as far as I know it’s pretty much standard everywhere.
Men (of all ages) have to wear tight-fitting speedo-style “budgie smugglers”!
The number of times visiting guests from England used to get caught out when we lived in the Paris region was incredible. Yes, we forgot pretty much every time to tell our friends and family to bring tight swimmers if they wanted to go to the pool with us. But over the years the amount of times they forgot too and seeing my dad sitting quite happily (dare I say smugly) on the side watching his grandson splash around at bébé-nageur sessions made me think perhaps they forgot on purpose.
I have no idea what the thinking is behind this rather ridiculous rule. Some say it’s for hygiene. Uh? To stop pubic hairs falling out apparently but then it shouldn’t apply to young boys. Others say it’s to avoid seeing a rogue bit of male anatomy flopping out! But doesn’t the unattractive bit of netting inside the shorts do this? And isn’t seeing the said bit of anatomy very graphically outlined, if not actually in the flesh, squashed into a tiny posing pouch even worse? I don’t get it, but you have to abide by the rules if you want to swim in the local municipal pool. Don’t worry, there are no such rules at the pool at Lou Messugo!
Does your local pool have this rule? Do let me know.
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Thanks for pointing me to this post Phoebe. It definitely puts Brit men out of their comfort zone and I think being able to see a bulge right in front of you is far worse than the odd chance a bit of tackle may slip out! I’m impressed your men posed for in their trunk. Oh, and relieved to hear you don’t go in for the trunk rule at Lou Messugo xx
Yeah, but they posed WITHOUT showing their works!!
Just like the good old Aussie speedo, the French slip
ha ha, very funny Thomas!
We got a letter from school asking that all boys wear tight swimming shorts for their lessons so it is in Yorkshire too!
That’s interesting Rin, that’s the 1st time I’ve heard of it in UK
I think it’s a sensible rule for public pools. I well remember – and Phoebe may do too, as I believe we knew each other in those days – once a pool at Windermere (England, so very few rules of any sort) which campers, climbers etc seemed to be using as their bath to wash in, wearing their interpretation of swimming clothes, which were simply their much used and very grubby shorts. OK for your own pool if that’s what you like, but better to have no-frills outfits that can be seen to be clean for use in public pools.
Yes I sort of get this, but other countries survive without such draconian rules
Hi Phoebe!
I find this ridiculous too and so very un-fashionista! We were caught out once in the countryside down by Gap when my then little boy didn’t have the proper “attire”. I think the hygienic reasoning behind it though is so that the boys and men don’t just drop their pants go swimming in their flowery underwear (or pants for you Brits ; )
Happy rentrée to you!
Janet Ratziu
Hi Janet
I’m delighted you’re reading my blog! Thanks for taking the time to comment. If your reasoning is right this implies that all French men and boys wear boxer shorts not “slip” as underwear otherwise the same could be said of them dropping their “pants” (US) to swim in their pants (GB). Do you follow me? This is getting complicated!