Posted: I was five when I went on my first overseas holiday. For reasons only known to them, my parents chose the swanky southern French resort of St.Tropez. Most of my memories of that holiday are lost in the mists of time, but one happy image remains as clear as a sunny Mediterranean day. The sight of my first topless sunbathing woman.
A recent survey found that 24% of French women are annoyed by bare breasts.
Banning the boobs
It was with dismay then that I read this week that this French tradition, first popular during the feminist 70s, is becoming increasingly unpopular. Sales of the monokini (the single piece beachwear) are dropping, and the mayor of St. Tropez recently said that less and less women are baring their assets on the swanky Cote d’Azur beaches. In Paris, topless sunbathing has actually been banned from at Paris Plages, the city’s urban beach.
Topless is tops
A recent survey found that 24% of French women are annoyed by bare breasts. Apparently, the sexualization of nudity is to blame for this increasingly popular attitude. There is also of course their valid concern about skin cancer. I can understand these points of view, but I still can’t help but feel a little saddened by the return to the puritan bikini. The beach has for so long been the only place where people can promenade almost as nature intended.
Fortunately, while the French are keeping covered, topless bathing is as popular as ever in many other destinations around the world.Those helpful people at Forbes magazine even put together a list of the world’s best topless beaches.
1. Anse du Gouverneur, St. Bart
2. Black’s Beach, San Diego
3. Clifton Beach, Cape Town
4. Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro
5. Illetes, Formentera
Where do you dare to bare?
The criteria included general acceptance of topless bathing, the amount of sunshine (cold weather tends to deter), fun crowd, as well as ease of access to bars, restaurants and boutiques. While I don’t agree with all these factors (what do boutiques have to do with boobs?), I’m happy to say that in my experience at least three of those listed are clothes free heavens. Still, I find it difficult to believe that they’ve checked every option. If you have any other suggestions about the best beaches where women dare to bare, please let me know.
Discussion
February 6, 2010 by Bill
The Forbes list is Rubbish. Copacabana is not and never has been a topless beach. On a packed Sunday you will not see one topless woman. Where did this come from?
February 6, 2010 by Joel Willans
Hi Bill,
Thanks for dropping by. The Forbes list is here
http://www.forbes.com/2006/01/12/cx_sb_0113featslide.html?thisSpeed=35000
Having been to Rio a couple of times, I don’t recall it being very topless either, (although there are some very skimpy bikinis) In Forbes defense their criteria included “general acceptance” of topless bathing.
If girls want to go topless at Copacabana I’m sure they can. I think that’s pretty much the same in most of Brazil. But I hear what you’re saying. People shouldn’t go to Copacabana expecting it to be a “topless” beach.
June 9, 2010 by G
California resident here: in case you’re planning a visit, Black’s Beach in San Diego should be placed on the “Best Naked Old Guy Beach”; Forbes is sadly mistaken.
January 4, 2012 by builders in grimsby
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