Narbonne becomes latest French city to fine people walking shirtless in street
Southern tourist spot says being barefoot is also not appropriate away from beaches
Offenders in Narbonne risk a fine of up to €150
Liz Albro Photography/Shutterstock.
Another city in southern France has, for the first time, introduced a summer rule banning people from walking shirtless, in swimwear, or barefoot in several parts of the city centre.
The measure, announced on June 9 by the municipality of Narbonne, in the Aude department, will be in force from June 15 to September 30, 2026, and will apply to key tourist and pedestrian zones.
The goal is to preserve “public tranquillity, respect for the living environment, and the attractiveness of the city centre during the summer season," states a municipal press release.
The city says that, with increased summer tourism, “some forms of dress, which are suitable for beaches and bathing areas, are not necessarily appropriate in the streets, squares, or heritage areas of the city.”
Offenders in Narbonne risk a fine of up to €150 (a second-class contravention). The decree specifies that police forces, both municipal and national, are responsible for enforcement, with sanctions provided under the French penal code.
Narbonne is not the first city or town to introduce such measures. It joins a growing list of French municipalities that regulate what people can wear outside beach areas during the summer.
These rules are most common in coastal tourist towns, and enforcement varies depending on local decrees and police priorities.
For example, in Nice, walking shirtless or in swimwear outside designated beach areas can result in fines of around €35 depending on circumstances. In Cannes, municipal regulations require appropriate attire in the town centre, enforced by local police.
On the stricter end, Arcachon imposes fines of up to €150 for walking shirtless or in swimwear outside beach areas. Les Sables-d’Olonne and La Grande-Motte also apply similar penalties under municipal “proper attire” rules in public spaces.
While there is no general French law banning being shirtless in public, many places rely on municipal decrees and police powers to impose “proper attire” rules. In practice, this means enforcement varies from one city or town to another, especially during the summer season.
The safest approach for visitors is simple: keep beachwear for the beach.
