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NATURISM

The first Paris restaurant for nude diners to close down

The French capital's very first restaurant reserved exclusively for naked diners will close its doors in February just 15 months after opening due to a lack of the simple bare necessity: customers.

The first Paris restaurant for nude diners to close down
Photo: AFP
Paris' very first nudist restaurant O'Naturel gave diners a place to leave their clothes and inhibitions at the door and its opening in November 2017 was hailed as evidence of the rising popularity of naturism in France. 
 
But after little more than a year the restaurant, located in the 12th arrondissement, is set to close its doors for the final time in February… and it's all down to a lack the bare necessity that all restaurants rely on: customers. 
 
 
“It is with great regret that we announce the definitive closing of the O'Naturel restaurant on Saturday, February 16, 2019,” announced the owners, 42-year-old twins Mike and Stephane Saada. 
 
“Thank you for having participated in this adventure by coming to dine at O'Naturel. We will only remember the good times, meeting beautiful people and customers who were delighted to share exceptional moments.” 
 
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Photo: AFP
 
The owners of “O'Naturel” have called on their customers to support them by coming to the restaurant during January and early February.
 
 
Diners were presented with a list of rules outlining what is expected of them in terms of behaviour — any voyeurism or exhibitionism likely to shock was not tolerated and only teenagers (who must be accompanied by an adult) were allowed to keep their clothes on in the dining room. 
 
Patrons left their clothes in the cloakroom along with mobile phones and cameras — perhaps for obvious reasons. 
 
O'Naturel boasted a minimalist decor and a menu of upmarket French bistro cuisine — lobster, foie gras and snails with parsley cream sauce — priced at 49 euros ($57.50) for three courses.
   
A large white curtain over the windows was designed to shield diners from gawpers outside and the black chair covers were discreetly changed between sittings.
 
 
 

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NATURISM

Naked cyclists banned from Paris streets but bare all in Rennes for historic ride

With nude cyclists banned from the streets of Paris and Lyon at the last minute Rennes became the first French city to host the global Naked Bike Ride on Sunday.

Naked cyclists banned from Paris streets but bare all in Rennes for historic ride
Naked cyclists in Rennes on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Dozens of naked cyclists gathered in Rennes on Sunday to cycle across the western city in the city's first edition of what naturists hope will turn into an annual event.

Around 70 people turned up for the ride in Rennes. Photo: AFP

“We’re delighted, we laughed a lot, had a great time,” Michèle Charles-Dominé, from the French Naturist Federation (FFN) which organised the event, told RFI.

 

 

It was the first time the international movement Naked Bike Ride was allowed to cycle through a French city, after years of trying.

Masks and hats, but nothing else. Photo: AFP

Local authorities banned the ride last minute in Paris and Lyon, but only modified the route in Rennes so that participants would avoid the city centre.

 

A lonely rider in Rennes. Photo: AFP

France has an active naturist movement, however French law bans “deliberate sexual display in the sight of others in a place accessible to the public.” Offenders risk up to one year in prison and a fine.

 

 

'Less gas, more ass'

The tour, also known as Cyclonudista, was set up in 2003 to raise awareness about climate change and promote bicycles as a means of transport.

Photo: AFP

“Less gas, more ass,” is a popular slogan during rallies in the United States.

“We only have one planet, so we want to defend it,” naked cyclist Charles-Dominé in Rennes told RFI. 

“When you care about nature, it’s better to be naked, you show your fragility.”

 

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