by Carl

The shock comes when you are looking over the fruits and vegetables in the
supermarket and you realize you don't have on a stitch of clothing - and
nobody is calling the police. Then you look around and all the other
customers are nude too, and you know you are not in Ontario. You must be in
Cap d'Agde.

Agde is a medieval town on the Mediterranean coast of France about half way
between Montpellier and the Spanish border. Some years ago a massive resort
development created a small city of hotels, condominiums and villas. But
east of Agde there is a promontory, more or less isolated from the main
land, called Cap d'Agde, and here a nude town was established. There are
condominium blocks, individual villas, a campground, and all the amenities -
shopping arcades, markets, a post office, restaurants, bars, night clubs -
all nude, always. The first rule for residents, posted in the entrances of
the condominium buildings, is that you should be nude at all times unless
circumstances, such as cool weather, justify clothing.

In fact, many people dress for supper, or perhaps to go to bars in the
evening, but clothing is never required. The magnificent beach is, of
course, always and completely nude. It is very much a resort for families
and mixed couples, but a walk along the sand soon brings you to the obvious
gay area. Beyond the beach are fields with high grasses and a few trees,
with paths if you want to walk and explore some different scenery. And
always there is the amazing freedom as you adjust to the fact that you never
have to wear clothes no matter where you go or what you do.

It is easy to get to Agde by regular train service, including the high speed
TGV. But don't confuse Agde with the "naturist" village at Cap d'Agde. At
the Agde station take the local bus or a taxi to the entrance to the Cap. If
you want to try it out for a few days, there is a single hotel, the Hôtel
Eve (www.hoteleve.com; there is no Hôtel Adam, or any other hotel for that
matter). For a longer stay a search on the internet will turn up agents who
rent everything from studios to villas by the week but be careful because
information can be misleading and does not always make clear that offerings
are in the non-nude resorts. I use the "Agence Geneviève"
(http://www.genevievenaturisme.com).

During high summer Cap d'Agde has around 40,000 residents, but in the
off-seasons, just before or after the summer, rents are lower, the weather
is still good, and the crowds are smaller.

Travel light and leave your clothes in the closet. You haven't lived the
full nude experience until you go shopping or drop in for a beer while
wearing only your sandals.  Next Story of this Place>>

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