Nudism is a movement that definitely divides opinions. On the one hand, supporters think it’s a nice that everybody could just be free and learn to accept their bodies for what they are. On the other hand, others think there’s some things that are better left to the imagination and some people you’d really rather not see nude. I mean, imagine seeing your Grandma with no clothes on! Traumatic stuff.
Well Paris isn’t the kind of place that cares what the haters say and it’s always ahead of trends, no matter how unusual they might be. This is why you won’t be surprised to hear that Paris has opened it’s very first nudist restaurant. Leave your clothes at the door and let’s take a look inside!
The restaurant is named O’Naturel (because what else would you call a nudist restaurant?) and it can be found down a quiet side street in southwest Paris. If you’re not sure where to find it, look for the only restaurant on the block with a closed curtain, used to give the diners some privacy. I think the curtain is a good move, can you imagine trying to eat your dinner in the nude while people walk past and stare at you? You’d feel like you were in a zoo!
O’Naturel was the grand idea of businessmen, Mike and Stephane Saada, who are brothers. When they realised that Paris was a popular tourist destination for nudists, they came up with this winning idea. Well, if you’re going to be nude on the beach, why not be nude whilst you eat dinner as well? Just be careful with that hot food!
When you walk in the front door of O’Naturel you take off your clothing and leave it in a cloakroom along with your mobile phone. This is to prevent people from taking sneaky pictures of the guests while they eat. You’re then provided with slippers to wear while you’re in the restaurant, although women are given the option of leaving their heels on. It’s reported that women make up 40% of the restaurant’s customers.
There’s very little fabric in the restaurant, the few pieces being the table cloths, napkins and seat covers. These covers are changed between sittings so guests never sit where somebody else has been. The part of me that’s a neat freak is very glad that they take hygeine into such consideration, I imagine you’ve got to if you’re running a nudist restaurant!
The only clothes you’ll see in the restaurant are that of the owners, Mike and Stephane, who also wait on their guests. Although they’re not nudists themselves, the Saada brothers insist that they’re only dressed because the law requires them to be. If your restaurant is drawing this much attention you’re not going to want to go against the law, are you?
The Saada brothers go to great lengths to ensure their diners feel relaxed in their restaurant. Stephane told The Daily Mail that, “Our role is to put people at ease. As soon as they enter the dining room, we accompany them to their table and we reassure them that it’s not like the whole room is looking at them.” Well, you wouldn’t want to return to a restaurant if you thought everyone was staring at you, I guess!
Yves Leclerc, who is the head of the French Naturist Federation adores the restaurant and commented, “We’re in the heart of Paris and we’re eating naked. It’s a little surreal,’ he said, sitting at one of the restaurant’s 20 tables. It’s like when we’re on holiday, but it’s even better.” He went on to state his disappointment that he has to wear clothes to go to a restaurant in his home town of Leucate.
The restaurant is only open for dinner, you can only get in if you’ve got a reservation and if you’re looking for something untoward, you will not be admitted. Stephane commented, “We might reject someone, or explain to them that if they’re looking to hook up, they should go somewhere else.” And Mike added that, “Nudity doesn’t have to mean sexuality.” So be on your best behaviour if you’re planning a visit to O’Naturel any time soon!
Would you visit this nudist restaurant? Have you ever been to a nudist establishment yourself? Let us know what you think in the comments and don’t forget to share this article with your family and friends!