Paris

Paris is the capital of libertinage, the French term for the swinger and open lifestyle. Libertine clubs (clubs libertins) are a legal, established part of French nightlife, and Paris has a wide choice of them, ranging from small bars to elegant venues with restaurants and dance floors. Alongside them, the city has made room for naturism: an official naturist area in the Bois de Vincennes each summer, and naturist swimming sessions organised year-round by the Association des Naturistes de Paris.

The libertine club scene

French libertine clubs are private venues for consenting adults. Most combine a bar or restaurant and a dance floor with separate, more intimate spaces, and entry prices typically differ for couples, single women and single men; many clubs admit single men only on certain nights, or not at all.

The best-known name is Les Chandelles, at 1 rue Thérèse in the 1st arrondissement, near the Palais-Royal and the Pyramides metro station. It presents itself as a refined libertine club and restaurant, open seven days a week with themed evenings. Its published dress code is formal: evening wear with a dress or skirt and heels for women, and a long-sleeved shirt, dress trousers and city shoes for men. As at every club, management reserves the right of admission.

Other clubs open and close regularly. Check recent reviews and each club's official site for its current policies before you go.

Naturism in Paris

• Bois de Vincennes naturist area: Created following a Paris Council decision in 2016, this signposted zone of about 7,000 m² of lawn lies in the eastern Bois de Vincennes, near the bird reserve, between Allée Royale and Route Dauphine. It is open seasonally; for 2026, it opened from 29 March to 25 October. Nudity is allowed but not compulsory, clothed visitors may pass through, and a posted charter prohibits voyeurism, exhibitionism and photography without consent.
• Naturist swimming: The Association des Naturistes de Paris, founded in 1953, runs naturist sessions in the 50-metre pool of the Roger Le Gall swimming centre in the 12th arrondissement, several evenings a week outside the summer. Visitors can attend a limited number of sessions before joining.

Who it suits

• Lifestyle couples looking for elegant, well-established libertine clubs in a great city.
• Naturists who want a city break with a place to sunbathe and swim nude.
• Curious couples; French clubs let you simply dine, dance and observe.

Best time to go

Spring and early autumn are ideal for the city. The Vincennes naturist area is open from spring to autumn. Clubs run year-round, with the busiest nights at weekends. August is quiet in Paris, and some venues close for summer holidays.

Getting there

Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Paris-Orly (ORY) are connected to the city by train, metro and bus. Les Chandelles is near Pyramides metro station; the Bois de Vincennes is reached by metro or RER to its edges and then on foot.

Legal notes

Libertine clubs are legal private venues. Naturism is lawful in designated areas such as the Vincennes zone. Outside them, sexual exhibition in public view is a criminal offence under Article 222-32 of the French Penal Code, and nudity in ordinary public spaces can lead to prosecution.

Etiquette and consent

• Consent is explicit. French clubs are known for subtle, non-verbal flirting, but a clear yes is still essential, and a hand gently moved away means no.
• Respect dress codes; being turned away at the door is common for people who ignore them.
• Discretion. No phones or photos inside clubs.
• Naturist area rules: no staring, no photos, no sexual behaviour.

Nearby

France's great naturist destinations include the Cap d'Agde naturist village, famous for its libertine nightlife, and the Atlantic naturist centres of CHM Montalivet and Euronat. Browse members in France, clubs in France and naturist places in France.