Can you wear swim trunks in France?

So you are going on vacation to France. That sounds great! Just pack your bag, throw in your favorite swim trunks and hop on the plane, right? Unfortunately, no.

As it turns out, you do not need to pack your regular swim trunks or board shorts when going to France. Instead, it would be best if you considered buying a pair of swim briefs for the trip.

But why, you might ask? Let me tell you about the rules and ban on swim trunks in France!

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Are you allowed to wear swim trunks in France?

The question of swim trunks in France is not as straightforward as it seems. Many places, especially on the internet, will have you believe that swim trunks are banned in the whole country of France. It’s a common misconception that swim trunks are illegal in France. This is not the case.

The answer is that swim trunks are not allowed at public pools but there is generally no rule against wearing swim trunks at private pools or at the beach.

If you know that you are only going to the beach while in France, then you can pack your swim trunks and not have to worry about anything.

However, if you are planning on going to any public pools, it is advisable to leave your swim trunks at home and instead bring a pair of swim briefs.

How about private pools? Private pools are not just someone’s backyard pool but also include hotel pools, spas, and resort pools.

There is no law or rule for what you can wear in private pools but many private pools do implement the same policy as public pools.

Why are swim trunks and board shorts not allowed at public pools in France?

Swim trunks and board shorts are banned in all public pools in France for hygiene reasons. The theory is that swim trunks are more likely to harbor bacteria than swim briefs.

This might be true but it is also worth noting that swim briefs are not necessarily cleaner than swim trunks. In fact, tight swimwear can actually increase the risk of infections because it doesn’t allow the genitals to breathe.

Another believed problem was that people went swimming in the same shorts they wore all day. This too was a hygiene factor.

The last reason was that guys, mainly teens, wore underwear under their board shorts and swim trunks. It’s no secret that this is very unhygienic and in most places around the world, underwear is not allowed in pools.

Not allowing swim trunks makes so that men can’t wear underwear under their swimwear, therefore avoiding this issue.

What swimwear can men wear in France?

So if you know that you might want to go swimming in a public pool, or a private pool with the same rules, while in France you might wonder what to wear?

There are many different types of swim trunks for men.

The rules in France do not specify exactly what type of swimwear a man can wear. Therefore we need to understand the reason behind the ban to know what swim trunks we can use.

As previously discussed, it’s about hygiene. Therefore, all the long swim trunks with loads of loose material are not allowed.

We are then left with swim briefs. This is the most common use in France. But there are also the square-cut trunks that are accepted since they are also tight-fitting swimwear.

Some pools are a bit looser on the rules and even allow very shorts swim trunks. But if you want to be on the safe side, we’d still recommend going with briefs.

Swimwear hygiene

Whether you are going to France swimming or not, it’s important that you care for your swim trunks to keep them in mint condition.

This is done by knowing how to wash and dry your swim trunks properly.

Caring for your swim trunks is important for two reasons. The first is that you want them to last as long as possible. Swim trunks are not cheap and if you can make them last a few summers, that’s great.

The second reason is hygiene. As we have discussed, swimwear is all about being clean and fresh.

Do briefs fit my body type?

We not have concluded that if you are going to France you probably should bring a pair of swim briefs.

Guys who usually wear swim trunks often have never even considered wearing swim briefs. You might ask yourself then, how will I look in briefs? Will it fit my body type?

Knowing what swim trunks fit different body types is important for anyone who wants to feel confident at the beach or pool.

There are different types of swim briefs. The most common type is the low-rise brief. This type of swimwear sits low on the hips and has full coverage in the back.

If you have a bit of a tummy, this is a great swimsuit for you because it will cover your stomach without making you look frumpy.

Another type of swim brief is the square-cut trunk. As the name suggests, this swimsuit has a square cut in the front.

It does not have as much coverage as the low-rise brief but it is still considered to be modest swimwear.

Tip: Read about more ways to wear swim trunks

Conclusion

So, there you have it! The next time you are packing for a trip to France, make sure to leave your swim trunks at home and pack a pair of swim briefs instead. Who knows, you might even enjoy the new style!

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