Get Naked at MUCEM in Marseille

 

The Museum of Civilisations of Europe and the Mediterranean (MUCEM) in Marseille is making waves with its ‘Paradis Naturiste’ exhibition by offering a unique opportunity for visitors: once a month, they can explore the museum and its displays completely nude, with just one rule—shoes are required.

 

On September 3rd and again on October 11th, MUCEM will welcome guests to experience the exhibit in the nude.

This decision is not arbitrary, but rather a bold compliment to the ‘Paradis Naturiste’ exhibition, which delves into the history of naturism in Europe.

 

Organized in collaboration with the French Naturist Federation (FFN), these nude events aim to provide an immersive experience for naturist enthusiasts. According to Eric Stefanut, chief of the FFN, the museum asks visitors to wear shoes "to avoid getting splinters."

 

To ensure privacy and consideration for all guests, these nude visits are scheduled for times when the museum is normally closed to the public. The most recent event saw over 80 participants.

The exhibition pays homage to the naturist movement, tracing its origins back to 19th-century Switzerland and Germany, with France embracing the trend in the 1930s. Marseille, long recognized as the heart of the French naturist movement, provides a fitting backdrop for this museum display.

The exhibition showcases 600 archival photos, films, paintings, sculptures, and other works of art from both public and private collections. These include notable loans from Paris’s Centre Pompidou, the Louvre, and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. 

 

Among the highlights is a black-and-white portrait of Christine Lecocq, one of the earliest French women to adopt the naturist lifestyle, who lived to the age of 103.

 

“France is the world’s top tourist destination for naturists,” notes a MUCEM representative. “Its mild climate and the presence of three seas have fostered the growth of naturist communities, which are unmatched in Europe except for Switzerland, where naturism is practiced more freely outside of established communities. In recent years, a renewed interest in nudity in nature has emerged, aligned with the pursuit of healthy, vegetarian diets, natural therapies, meditation, and yoga in the open air. These lifestyle choices, along with the rejection of societal norms that burden our bodies, are key to understanding the evolution of naturism, both past and present.” 

While nudity is not mandatory at the monthly events, it is encouraged, with a museum spokesperson humorously noting that “anyone choosing to visit fully dressed during those hours might stand out.”

 

For those who prefer to remain clothed, the exhibition is open to the public during regular hours until December 9th.