Contrary to nudists, who reveal themselves occasionally on beaches, naturists have made nakedness a way of life. Their belief is to be in harmony with nature, self-respect and respect of others. They bear no relation to those saunas that are only a pretext for partner-swapping. This recurrent confusion probably explains why most naturists are men. But still all the age brackets are represented, although teenagers, who are often more modest, are rarer.

In Scandinavia, naturists parade with complete impunity: in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, a law authorises nakedness insofar as it doesn’t bother others. In Germany, nobody gets shocked to see naturists in parks and public swimming pools. In France, despite its two million followers, only a few city-dwellers are familiar with this activity. In the Paris area, they are only an estimated five hundred enthusiasts.