A great story
Thirty years ago, a group of naturist campsites discovered shared values: respect (for others, self-respect and the environment), kindness and love of freedom. They decided to join forces and launch a new human venture, by setting up France 4 Naturisme. Now the market leader in the sector in France, this group offers a unique experience to all naturists, in harmony with protecting nature.
Over the course of time, the destinations have increased and become more diverse, satisfying all holidaymaker needs. France 4 Naturisme now has 7 luxury establishments in France, coming together, with the focus on environmental responsibility and whose surroundings always enable fantastic discoveries.
France is the leading global naturist destination: around 2 million French people and 2 million foreigners practice this way of life each year.
France is the leading global naturist destination: around 2 million French people and 2 million foreigners practice this way of life here each year.
- “France” because in this magnificent country (France) we indeed welcome you!
- “4” for the 4 main values that unite us: respect, life in harmony with nature, freedom and environmental responsibility.
- “Naturisme” paying tribute to our way of life, our mindset.
Whether in terms of accommodation comfort, the quality of services or extent of our environmentally responsible initiatives, France 4 Naturisme wishes to offer you the best. The investment by our camping resorts is regularly rewarded with several quality labels:
- Le Domaine de la Sablière and Riva Bella have obtained the international sustainable tourism designation Green Key.
- Euronat, Arnaoutchot, Le Domaine de la Sablière, Bélézy and Riva Bella have been recognized with the Qualité Tourisme designation.
- Bélézy and Riva Bella hold the EU Ecolabel.
- Riva Bella in eastern Corsica has been awarded the Camping Qualité and Qualité Tourisme designations.
The Héliomonde campsite, located on the high plateaux in Essonne, is a designated woodland conservation area (Espace Boisé Classé).
members
If there is one iconic figure at Riva Bella, it can only be Noël Pasqual. Now over 100, in 1960 he’d bought the site for the current naturist campsite. At that time, there was no access. Riva Bella was simply scrub; only fishermen would venture there. Little by little, Noël and his team breathed life into the campsite we know today. During the early years in operation, the establishment was a textile campsite. Owing to its isolated nature and protected countryside, holidaymakers quickly came to envisage naked living here. In 1965, the premises were transformed into a naturist campsite, to the greatest delight of customers seeking freedom and large spaces!
Marie-Claire and Marie-Noëlle, Noël’s daughters, now run the Domaine de Riva Bella campsite, supported by his granddaughters, Sabrina and Maeva. Together, they are preserving the authenticity and quality welcome which has made this exceptional campsite a success.
At the beginning of the 1970s, Hubert Lacroix, self-taught entrepreneur, established one of the most original tourist businesses on the Aquitaine coast.
Inspired by meetings he had with teams working under Gilbert Trigano, who founded Club Med, he opened a naturist resort on the Médoc peninsula.
In 1988 his daughter, Dr Hélène Lacroix, created the first naturist thalassotherapy centre on the Gironde coast on-site. With 335 hectares, Euronat has become the largest naturist complex in Europe, managed since 1990 by Hélène’s husband, Jean-Michel.
The third generation are gradually taking over the business. Owing to the sheer tenacity of all these enthusiasts, success is evident here. Indeed yes, “We had to believe in Euronat.”
The Le Sérignan Plage Nature story is specifically linked to that of the Amat family. In 1965, Etienne, a visionary agricultural trade unionist, convinced neighboring wine growers to rent him their unused land. The idea: the creation of a textile campsite. Installation of the facilities began, always respecting the countryside. Little by little the site became an oasis of greenery, in the heart of unfavourable surroundings. Moreover, from 1965, the GymnoClub Méditerranée offered to create a naturist area on the Le Sérignan Plage campsite. However, the construction of a naturist campsite, required the approval of both the village’s mayor and priest, both permanently opposing it! The project came to fruition in the end and nowadays the campsite, managed by the Amat family, is more dynamic than ever.
anecdotes
“I discovered La Sablière when holidaying there in 1976, and I’ve never really left! A short time after, I integrated the activity team which was set up – to begin with holidaymakers organized activities on a voluntary basis. At first, I started a book-binding workshop, before becoming the activities manager and managing teams of around 20 people.…until I retired.”
“My best memory is my recruitment interview in March 1992 at Arnaoutchot. Nobody told me previously that it was a naturist campsite. I was stunned when I turned up for my first day at work. I was very hesitant at first, but in the end I went in with both eyes shut and I still don’t regret it.
The years pass, Arna continues to evolve but always retains its soul and natural beauty.”
“On 23rd July 2019, the Riva Bella holiday village was chosen by the naturist cruise ship Royal Clipper for its stopover in eastern Corsica. We all met up on the beach to take photos and were in awe of this ship carrying 250 passengers, mainly American. A few chairs, a table, and our reception was ready to welcome naturist guests right on the beach, their feet in the sand.
Come my break, I hired a canoe and decided to approach the 5 masts. The ship is colossal. I’d never seen such a boat. From its anchor point in the sea, you could glimpse the Riva Bella beach, vineyards on the eastern coast and even the mountains in the distance. The setting was magnificent as was the weather that day. I returned to the shore, glad of my excursion. Our American friends left us, delighted by their day, to go back to their ship.
A day we won’t forget in a hurry.”