by Planet Nude
A French town is embracing naturist tourism, one of America's best-known naturist organisations is closing its doors, and a Spanish beach is at the centre of a fight over nudity and signage.
Welcome to The World, Undressed, our monthly look at the news, places and people shaping naturism around the globe.
Each month, we team up with our friends at Planet Nude to bring you three stories worth knowing about.
Here's what's happening in November.
1. A French Town Is Betting on Naturist Tourism
RIve d'Aude Campground in Fleury-d'Aude
Here's something we love to see: a local government actively embracing naturism!
The town of Fleury-d'Aude, on France's Mediterranean coast, has voted to transform its municipal campground, Rive d'Aude, into an entirely naturist destination by 2028.
The decision follows growing competition from larger holiday resorts offering swimming pools, waterslides and other attractions. Rather than trying to compete with those facilities, local officials have decided to take a different approach: attracting naturist holidaymakers.
And there's some history behind the decision. The area has had a designated naturist beach since 1974, so in many ways, it's a return to its roots.
Not everyone is happy, though. Some longtime campers have launched petitions opposing the change, concerned about losing a holiday destination their families have enjoyed for generations.
The town council approved the conversion by 22 votes to three, with two abstentions.
At Nude Beach Map, we're always excited to see new naturist accommodation becoming available, particularly in established naturist destinations like the south of France.
The planned conversion isn't scheduled until 2028, but we'll certainly be keeping an eye on this one!
Read the full story on Planet Nude
2. The End of an Era for American Naturism
Lee Baxandall at the West Coast Gathering at Elysia, California, 1985
Some sad news from the United States.
Some sad news from the United States.
After more than four decades supporting naturism, The Naturist Society Foundation (TNSF) has announced it will close at the end of 2026.
The organisation, which grew out of the American free-beach movement, has been an important voice for nude recreation, education and naturist rights since The Naturist Society was founded in 1980.
It's perhaps best known for its long-running publication N magazine (Nude & Natural), which has covered everything from clothing-optional travel to the legal and cultural challenges facing naturism.
Unfortunately, declining membership and rising operating costs have made continuing impossible.
The organisation plans to publish one final issue of N before closing its doors.
For the naturist community, this is a significant loss. Organisations like TNSF have played an important role in protecting clothing-optional spaces, bringing naturists together and helping newcomers discover the lifestyle.
It also raises some important questions about the future of established naturist organisations and how they can remain relevant to younger generations.
A sad farewell to an organisation that has contributed so much.
Read the full story on Planet Nude
3. Why Are Naturists in Spain Fighting Over Beach Signs?
Playa de Cantarriján in southern Spain
You'd think putting up a sign explaining that a beach has a long history of nude bathing would be fairly straightforward.
Apparently not!
At Playa de Cantarriján, a beautiful naturist beach on Spain's southern coast, a local nudist association has been trying to install signs informing visitors about the beach's clothing-optional tradition.
The idea is simple: let people know what to expect before they arrive, encourage mutual respect and help preserve the beach's naturist identity.
But environmental officials from the regional government of Andalusia have issued an unfavourable report on the proposal, arguing that signage within the protected natural area must relate to its management and environment.
Importantly, this isn't a ban on nudity. It's a disagreement over whether signs explaining the beach's naturist history should be permitted.
The local association has challenged the decision.
There's also an interesting contradiction: Andalusia's own tourism website promotes Cantarriján as a popular nude beach, yet the association is struggling to secure permission for signs explaining that very tradition.
It's an issue we've seen at clothing-optional beaches around the world. As more visitors discover these beautiful locations, the original naturist character of some beaches can gradually disappear.
Clear information and mutual respect can go a long way towards helping everyone feel comfortable.
We'll be interested to see how this one plays out.
Read the full story on Planet Nude
Until Next Month!
That's our first edition of The World, Undressed.
Whether it's a new place to get naked, a battle to protect an existing one, or a major development within the naturist community, we think these stories deserve more attention.
We'll be back next month with three more stories from around the world.
In the meantime, if you'd like to dig deeper into naturist news, history and culture, check out Planet Nude, whose original reporting helped bring these stories to light.
See you on the beach!
The World, Undressed is a monthly collaboration between Nude Beach Map and Planet Nude. Original reporting by Evan Nicks at Planet Nude.
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