Dress Code? Nude. World-famous Palais de Tokyo contemporary art museum in Paris recently granted access for the first time to naturists for a special two-hour tour which was scheduled before regular opening hours, so that the nudists did not mingle with other visitors. The communications director of the Paris Naturists Association Julien Claude-Penegry at the museum said, “The naturists’ way of life is to be naked. Culture is part of our daily life and this is a special opportunity. The museum told France 24 that the event was a huge success with a long waiting list but is not sure if it will host another.

Some members were a little nervous at Saturday’s event. One anonymous naturist told French newspaper Le Parisian, “We were a little embarrassed undressing in the locker rooms, but that quickly passed. However, in the very large rooms of the Palais de Tokyo, I left vulnerable naked, and so the art did not resonate in quite the same way.” Marta, 23, who is not a naturist but decided to attend anyway, said, “I was a little scared, being a woman. But, in this environment, the body is not sexualised at all.” Later, they had a celebratory drink, still naked, on the roof of the gallery, which overlooks the Eiffel Tower.

The capital also houses France’s first naturist restaurant, O’Naturel, owned by twin brothers who saw a gap in the market. Co-owner Stephane Saada told France 24 said, “The law requires that we keep our clothes on, but we are in a naturist environment and for us it’s become normal.” “It shows that we are comfortable in our skin, it’s natural. We’re born naked,” said one diner. Paris is also set to introduce nudist clubbing later this year.

The association which organised the event said it is hoping to attract younger members and rid of its ‘complexities’ surrounding nudism. The one-off event which was a first in the French capital was a part of increasing efforts by France’s growing nudist community to encourage acceptance of clothes-free activities. There are some 88,000 naturists in Paris alone and 2.6 million across France. Laurent Luft, president of the paris Naturists Association told France 24, “We want to make Paris the naturist capital of the world.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 08, 2018 10:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).