Lifestyle Press

The French Holiday Tower in the village of St Mayme, near the market town of Vergt, mid-way between Perigueux and Bergerac, dates from the 16th century. The historic accommodation sleeps 2 or 3 guests and is set in attractive gardens with a sparkling pool. According to the Scottish owners, “the grounds are completely private and those wishing to sunbathe without clothing may do so without fear of intrusion.”

Unusually, a former textile campsite has turned naturist this year! Serre-Ponçon Naturiste is 700 meters from attractive lake Serre-Ponçon, in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes region, between Gap and Embrun. There are 40 pitches on a site of several hectares, together with rental accommodation also. 

Overlooking the river Rhone and the Ardeche region, La Boissiere, Savasse is situated on 4 acres of private property at the end of a no-through road. A holiday apartment is available for sympathetic people who would like to pass their time as naturists in and around the pool and the house, as the owners do. Total privacy is guaranteed by the way the house is situated in the forest and by way of the vegetation around the pool and the house.

The studio apartment has a simple kitchen area, but there is also a good local restaurant – two minutes’ away – that has a “menu du jour”, which can be enjoyed in the shadow under the trees.

Naturism Mercantour offers all year accommodation in gypsy-style caravans, in the Alpes Maritimes region of southern France. Less than an hours’ drive from the Riviera, and twenty minutes’ to the nearest downhill and cross-country ski resorts. Also 5 minutes’ from the spa Berthemont les Bains.

The Alpes Maritimes is home to the new L’Belia naturist retreat near the town of Roquebilliere. Around an hour north of the Mediterranean coast of the Cote d’Azure and twenty minutes from the nearest skiing, the property is in the foothills of the Mercantour Mountains. Accommodation is provided in timber-clad chalets in the style of gypsy caravans. The pool can be covered during the shoulder seasons and there is also a jacuzzi for guests to enjoy.

New owners Sandrine and Sébastien have spent 2 years renovating Domaine du Coq Rouge in the Midi Corrézien region, at the gateway to the Dordogne. There are six completely different types of unusual naturist accommodation to rent, including a wooden tipi and a maori tent. There are also plenty of pitches for campers with their own equipment. A large pool and fine views complement the landscaped park.

Chambres d’Hôtes Naturistes La Fenouillère is a spacious villa built in the hills just outside Brignoles, in the Var-Provence-France. Run by Dutch naturists, Geert and Marijke, the 7000 m² property has attractive gardens, and is located between vineyards and olive trees. The B&B has three en suite guest bedrooms and a newly constructed swimming pool with extensive terraces.

The naturist camping and caravanning site of Domaine de Sarraute near the town of Le Houga, is situated in the Gers department, southwestern France. It opened in 2011 after a number of years development and is a member of the Fédération Française de Naturisme (FFN). Extending to 26 hectares of grass and woodland on a sloping site, accommodation is available in mobile homes in addition to a choice of pitches for self-contained campers. There’s an attractive south-facing pool and the friendly site offers peace and tranquility.

British naturists Jim and Nikki emigrated to the southern Dordogne in February 2016, where they now offer an attractive gite for two. Set in their 7 acres of tranquil grounds, the detached accommodation at La Foret has its own secluded terrace and use of the skinny-dipping pool shared with the owners. There is plenty of privacy, woodlands to explore and no other guests to disturb the peace.

We have been in touch with Kim and Steve, who moved from the UK to northern France during late 2015. They have established a naturist-friendly B&B and small campsite – La Petit Cretouffiere –  in the Pays de la Loire. Their rural and secluded cottage offers 2 guest bedrooms, and there is room for up to five units in the camping field. Electric hook-ups are available.

L’ Ancien Tabac is a naturist bed-and-breakfast in the heart of the Languedoc, about 15 minutes drive north-west of Pézenas. There are two comfortable rooms, each with ensuite bathrooms and double beds. Behind the house there is a terrace and a secluded garden with a 3×6 metre swimming pool. The beaches of the Mediterranean are about 45 minutes drive. Described as a comfortable, clothing optional environment, ideal for those in search of relaxation combined with a genuine Mediterranean ambiance. Naturist hosts, Anne and Richard, hail from Norway and the UK respectively.

Andrew and Debbie Davis offer B&B at their secluded Villa Blanc, at Conques Sur Orbiel, in the Languedoc, not far from Carcassonne. There are four guest bedrooms and the owners invite you to “improve that all-over tan” in their attractive grounds and around the pool. The accommodation is for adults only.

A huge private estate located in the Municipalities of Goudargues and Lussan in the Gard region, north of the city of Uzes, has a ‘Mas’ that’s just been renovated (June 16) and offers five luxury suites. Domaine de la Quiquier includes a 1,000 acres of park and forest, and the accommodation, the pool and in fact the whole estate are described as ‘clothing optional‘.

Dutch naturists, Sandra and Mark, spent years searching for their dream location in France – Borvo Camping . They purchased a farm at Bourbon Lancy, east of Moulins, central France in 2011. After securing all the necessary permissions and developing the site they have – in 2016 – just opened their 25-pitch camping. New facilities have been installed on the property, which is bordered  by the river Somme where trout fishing is available. It is also ideal for a refreshing paddle. Refreshments are served at the bar, which also has free wi-fi. Construction of a swimming pool and sauna is the next priority.

Naturist hosts Rosemay and Alain, offer guests a two-room gîte at their house, just 15 miles inland from Cannes and Frejus. Gîte la Paillote has a pool, jacuzzi and sauna as well as plenty of space to soak up the sun au naturel. (Google translation)

A new naturist guesthouse – Le Pont d’Adèle – has opened in the Grenoble area, at the foot of the Vercors range of mountains. Following extensive redevelopment, 2016 will be their first full year of operation. There are five apartments which are let by the week or by the weekend, and extra days can be added. The château is within a large estate extending to over 35 acres and boasts a swimming pool and spa with a sauna. The owners plan to open a naturist campsite in 2017.

This self-contained naturist gîte for two people is in the pretty village of Cotignac, in the Var region of Provence. La Mucherie has a pool and secure parking. The rental property is in the grounds of the French owner’s home.

These two well-equipped 3-star cottages at Domaine de l’Aube are situated by a river in Provence, and are registered with the French Naturist Association (FFN). Patrick and Marie-Christine welcome holidaymakers to relax at their naturist haven, which is around 25 miles from Frejus and the coast. (Google translation)

Naturist Domaine La Martinelle Chambres d’hôtes at Ponet Saint Auban, is located in the Drome, on the border with Provence. Two self-contained studios with kitchenettes can each accommodate two people and are set in private grounds of 5 hectares (12.5 acres). There is an attractive pool and outdoor jacuzzi, both of which enjoy fine mountain views. The owner will shortly be installing a Mongolian Yurt and two mobile homes, to increase capacity. (Website in French only – Google translation)

Enthusiastic naturists, Bouwe and Tessa de Jong – originally from Amsterdam – have a French Bed & Breakfast with the added advantage of a catered 4-course dinner available as an option. The attractive and secluded property is set beside a river, but also has its own swimming pool. With currently just one letting room, guests are welcome to wear clothes or not, whichever they choose. Moulin de Chez Joyeux is located in rural countryside close to the Village of Thiat, in the Haute-Vienne department of the Limousin. In early 2015 the story of Bouwe and Tessa’ search for a naturist idyll was published in H&E magazine.