Swimming Suits
 

We may go to a center parcs in France and was wondering what the swimming attire would be (for males that is) Is it speedo central and/or would "american sytle" swimsuits be allowed?

I've not been to centre parcs but the pools in France that I have been to have had signs requesting no board shorts or similar. Lots of speedo wearers! Call them or check their website for their policy.

Europeans seem more willing to wear Speedos than Americans are, regardless of their body types. Do not let that influence you. Unless you are a dead ringer for Brad Pitt on a good day, go with "american style." They will not guillotine you, no matter what you wear :)

They do make shorter American suits. Maybe pick up those to take with you.

Men, take note! The 60's-style fitted shorts are far more flattering than either speedos or baggy surf shorts.

This isn't about fashion. Some european pools have rules about types of suits allowed.

svp what are "center parcs in France"

thanks

Centre Parcs is a holiday village - a sort of middle-class Butlins or Pontins.

Usually hidden away in woodland, no cars, cycles only, big swimming pool, fondue restuarants etc.

8-)

merci bc!

And what is an 'American style swimsuit?'

Sorry, I'm a Canadian living in France and have never heard of this.

Carlux asked: "And what is an 'American style swimsuit?'"

The type of shorts that you could wear when visiting a church in Italy.

This past summer, I was surprised by the number of men in Europe wearing longer board shorts on the beach. However, if you are swimming in a swimming pool, they may require a Speedo type bathing suit. When I was in Berlin, I went swimming at a pool and it was nude night, yes, everyone--men and women--swim nude. Nice experience.

One of the funniest moments on our trip to France this summer was taking our 3 boys to the town swimming pool. They weren't allowed in with their long American suits. My 8 year-old was fine with the idea of buying a speedo. He really wanted to swim. His 14 and 15 year old brothers were mortified. Their facial expressions were hilarious when the woman at the pool suggested they could borrow left-behind speedos from previous swimmers. The poor 8 year-old was crushed not to go swimming. The teenagers couldn't even talk about it. They just shook their heads. Priceless!

Go local - speedo. Just don't let a family member take a picture of you. That can be embarrassing if it gets in the family album. There is no way to explain it. I know!

Most of the swimwear rules are designed to prevent people from using clothes that they have been wearing out on the street as swimwear. Using the swimming pool for swimming instead of as a washing machine allows reduced use of chlorine and other chemicals.

Save your board shorts for the beach.

And they don't have to be the tiny speedos. Think Burt Lancaster in 'From here to eternity'.

The rules for not wearing shorts in the pool may not apply at Center Parcs, only at public pools; check with them.

Thanks for all the comments. I will have to e-mail Center Parc since this information is not handy on their website. I don't think I could talk my husband into any form of tight fitting swim wear. We went to a center parcs in Holland last year and his longer short style suit was fine. We did however see a man in a thong type speedo. That image will last forever!

I've swam in dozens of piscines municipaux and at campings and always used by rather long swimsuit like most Americans - never had any problems.