We all know there’s a stereotype of a Brit abroad that’s, erm, less than favourable.
Wandering around shirtless (and sunburnt) in sliders with socks, if we’re not drinking at a Ye Olde pub at 11am, we’re hogging sunbeds by the pool.
But now, one French town, that claims to have ‘200 years of elegance’ is taking a stand.
Les Sables d’Olonne, a seaside resort on France’s west coast, is fining tourists for showing too much skin.
Writing in a Facebook post, Mayor Yannick Moreau, said he wanted to ‘clearly’ remind visitors that ‘it’s forbidden to walk around naked or in a swimsuit at Sables d’Olonne’.
Sign up to The Getaway newsletter
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.
Mayor Yannick said that it’s an ‘indecent’ habit that the town experiences during the summer, and begged for ‘a little decorum, please!’
The stern words were accompained by a poster, which featured a play on the March of Progress illustration, often used to depict the theory of evolution from ape to man.
In Les Sables d’Olonne’s poster, the iconic image is in reverse, starting with a decidedly French looking fellow in a beret, and ending with a rather familiar-looking shirtless man, complete with ginger beard, socks and sliders, and cross-body bumbag.
The poster confirms that tourists will be slapped with a €150 (£130) fine if they’re caught flouting the rules, with a reminder to not ‘end up in your underwear in our alleys.’
The Mayor reminded visitors in his rather sassy Facebook post that Les Sables d’Olonne has 11km of coastline ‘to show off your pecs and your best swimsuit’.
If you do visit Les Sables d’Olonne — and can manage to keep your clothes on — there’s fun to be had.
La Grande Plage is perhaps the most popular beach, but there are eight in total, with some ideal for keen surfers looking to ride the waves.
There’s also a promenade to talk a stroll along, but perhaps the most unique part of the town is Penotte Island neighbourhood.
Over the years, the facades of houses and buildings have been covered with colourful moasic murals. It’s the perfect place to while away a few hours, strolling the narrow streets and admiring the artwork.
Further afield, there are lots of hiking and cycling routes, offering stunning views along the French Atlantic coast.
European destinations cracking down on tourist behaviour
Les Sables d’Olonne isn’t the only place taking a stand.
Across Spain, tough new rules have been unveiled for holidaymakers.
For example, in Mallorca’s Playa de Palma, S’Arenal and Magaluf, and in San Antonio, Ibiza, all-inclusive guests now have a six-drink limit. Under the rules, you can have three drinks at lunch, and a further three at dinner.
And, on Magaluf’s infamous strip, pub crawls have also been banned.
Elsewhere in Palma, there’s a crackdown on walking tours. New requirements will see tours limited to 20 people per group, which will likely make them more expensive.
And in Gran Canaria, in the Canary Islands, a whole host of new banned beach items and behaviours were announced. These include things like smoking or vaping, reserving spots on sun decks, collecting shells using an umbrella for shade.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
