Unlike summer, winter naturism does not occur on beaches or in outdoor camps. Instead, three types of venues host Christmas celebrations:
Our journey begins on the 23rd of December. We are at a private, gated naturist resort in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The temperature outside is 8°C (46°F). The central lodge, however, is a marvel of geothermal heating and human body heat.
The Dress Code (or Lack Thereof) Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a sign that reads: "Ici, on oublie le tissu. On pense au vin." (Here, we forget fabric. We think about wine.) Newcomers are often nervous. They stand by the lockers, shivering slightly—not from the cold, but from the anxiety of undressing in December. Yet, within ten minutes, the anxiety evaporates. There is something paradoxically warmer about a room full of naked people. Without the barrier of denim or wool, the heat circulates.
The Apéro begins at 17:00. A long oak table is laden with foie gras, oysters, and clementines. The men are bare; the women are bare; the children (for this is a family-friendly event) run by, painted as reindeer, squealing with joy. The host, a 60-year-old provençal named Jean-Luc, uncorks the first bottle of Champagne.
"Christmas is about vulnerability," Jean-Luc explains, his grey beard flecked with sea salt and pâté. "When you wear a suit, you hide. When you wear a crown of holly and nothing else, you are honest. This is the new way."
To understand a naturist Christmas, one must first understand the French distinction between nudisme (simple nudity) and naturisme (a holistic lifestyle). According to the Fédération Française de Naturisme (FFN), naturism is:
“Une manière de vivre en harmonie avec la nature, caractérisée par la pratique de la nudité en collectivité, dans le respect de soi-même, des autres et de l’environnement.” (A way of living in harmony with nature, characterized by the practice of communal nudity, with respect for oneself, others, and the environment.) Unlike summer, winter naturism does not occur on
Key pillars relevant to Christmas:
As midnight approaches, the Nudist French Christmas Celebration Part 1 reaches its climax. The "New" tradition dictates that at the stroke of twelve, everyone must step outside onto the terrace.
It is freezing. 3°C (37°F). There is no snow, but the stars are blindingly bright in the French countryside. Fifty naked people step out into the night. There is a collective gasp—not of horror, but of exhilaration.
Jean-Luc lights a lantern. "This is the new beginning," he announces. "Adam and Eve were not ashamed of the cold. They were only ashamed of the lie. Tonight, we tell no lies."
They remain outside for exactly sixty seconds. Long enough to feel the cold bite the nose and toes, short enough to avoid frostbite. They run back inside, laughing hysterically, diving into the pile of rugs and each other’s warmth.
By Philippe Durand, Special Correspondent on Naturist Culture “Une manière de vivre en harmonie avec la
When one imagines Christmas, the mind typically conjures images of crackling fireplaces, chunky wool sweaters, velvet robes, and perhaps a steaming mug of mulled wine. The air is cold; the layers are many. But in the south of France, where the Mediterranean sun softens the winter bite and a century-old philosophy of body freedom reigns supreme, a different kind of Yule log is burning.
Welcome to the world of the Nudist French Christmas Celebration.
For the uninitiated, the idea of a "Naked Christmas" sounds like an oxymoron. How do you hang stockings without a chimney? How do you keep warm? And most importantly, what does Santa wear? (Spoiler: Nothing but a hat and boots). In this first installment of our three-part series, we explore the Nouveau—the "New" wave of nudist naturist holiday traditions sweeping across France’s famous Centres Naturistes.
Celebrating Christmas as a nudist or naturist in France offers a unique perspective on both the holiday and the lifestyle. It represents a blend of traditional values like community and family with the principles of naturism: a return to nature, body positivity, and social equality. Whether one views it as an intriguing alternative or not, it certainly represents a distinctive way to approach the holiday season.
In France, the concept of naturism is deeply rooted in a philosophy of living in harmony with nature and respecting both the self and others. When this lifestyle meets the traditional joy of a French Christmas, it creates a unique festive experience focused on authenticity and family values. A Different Kind of Holiday Spirit
The goal of a naturist Christmas is often to strip away the commercialism associated with the season. For many French naturist families, the focus remains on the core values of family, friendship, and a "natural state of being". Key pillars relevant to Christmas: As midnight approaches,
Authentic Traditions: Families still participate in classic French customs like decorating the Sapin de Noël (Christmas tree).
Gift Giving: The tradition of leaving shoes or les souliers by the hearth for Père Noël remains a central part of the celebration for children.
Focus on Connection: By removing the social pressures of formal attire, participants often find it easier to focus on genuine conversation and communal joy. The Festive Meal: Le Réveillon
Food is "sacred" in French culture, and the Réveillon (the elaborate Christmas Eve meal) is no different for naturists.
Multi-Course Feasts: A typical menu might include high-quality starters like foie gras, oysters, or caviar, followed by a main of dinde (turkey) or chapon (capon) with chestnuts.
Sweet Endings: The meal almost always ends with the Bûche de Noël, a traditional Yule Log cake.
Social Timing: These meals can last up to six hours, often leading directly into the early hours of Christmas morning when gifts are exchanged.
Christmas in France: Your Complete Guide to Festive French Traditions