France Swimwear & Pool Rules

Let's talk swimwear!

You’ve probably heard lots of conflicting information about what you can wear when you use a swimming pool in France. So it’s a good idea to know before you go.

If you’re headed for the beach, don’t worry: you can wear what you like. But it’s true that many swimming pools prohibit the majority of baggy or loose-fitting shorts. Why? Simply because of hygiene concerns.

Of course, rules can – and do – vary from parc to parc. If in any doubt just ask. We’re only too happy to help and save you from any poolside blushes!

Why are swim shorts prohibited?

Unlike body-fitting swimming briefs, most styles of men’s shorts can just as easily be worn throughout the day, with some even having pockets. As such they'll pick up more dirt and dust, contaminating pool water. Also, loose shorts retain a lot more water when you're getting out of the pool, leading to slippery puddles of water on the sun bathing terraces.

Wearing tighter swimwear wastes less water. Their material, usually dries quicker, staving off any potential build up of bacteria.

But don’t panic: if you’re not keen on slipping on a pair of conventional Speedos, you can still opt for swimming shorts. Just make sure they’re more fitted, and above the knee, and opt for fabrics that are designed for the water. Have a look for a style called ‘jammers’ online, to get an idea of what’s usually allowed.

Still prefer swim shorts than Speedos?

Many of our parcs don’t stick hard and fast to this rule. Check out the Aquatic Area section on our French parc pages to see if there are any swimwear restrictions.

It’s good to know that we also have over 200 parcs where these pool rules don’t apply. If you’d feel more comfortable at these type of destinations, just use the search filter ‘swim shorts allowed’ on our website to find these parcs.