“The feeling is exceptional”: naked at the campsite, vacationers from Les Mathes enjoy life

Le Petit Dauphin, one of two naturist campsites in Charente-Maritime along with La Ronde, opened twenty years ago. Since then, Régis Montrignac and his son David have championed a certain vision of outdoor life there.

This Monday, July 14th, Bastille Day, the weather is a little gloomy, and textiles are out. Not for everyone, however. At the three-star Petit Dauphin naturist campsite in Les Mathes, some continue to brave the falling temperatures in their underwear. Here, people experience their nudity as naturally as possible. The word "freedom" often comes up in the mouths of those who defend this concept of outdoor life. Since the Atlantique Soleil and the Palestria closed in the 1990s and 2000s, the site is now the only one in the Royan region to prohibit clothing. "There are only two of us left in the department, along with the Port naturist campsite in La Ronde," explains Régis Montrignac, who runs the business with his son David.

Here, there's no fuss. We leave the XXL water slides and the immense performance halls to the neighboring "textile" campsite of Les Charmettes, which belongs to the sector's giant Siblu. Le Petit Dauphin boasts a more intimate, family-oriented atmosphere. "Everyone knows each other. When kids come in out of curiosity or to feast their eyes, I quickly know and ask them to leave," says Régis, who opened his 1.7-hectare campsite in 2006 with 103 pitches.

Nothing predestined him to embark on such an activity, having worked his way up in the construction industry for forty-four years in Salles-Lavalette, Charente. "I had my own carpentry, roofing, and zinc work business. Like many in this profession, I was dreading having a small retirement," he admits. A naturist since 1975, he thought there was a niche to be filled with the closure of the Palestria. But the beginnings weren't easy. "We had to build a clientele!" Fortunately, kind souls like "Papy Georges" helped the place gain recognition. "He was a local who spontaneously suggested we advertise on the naturist beach of La Lède, not far from here. We made him a banner that he would plant next to him every time he went to sunbathe. That brought us a lot of customers."

At 71, Régis is supported by his son David, 50, who has always been immersed in this environment. Towel wrapped around his waist at reception, he praises this way of life. "Once you've dabbled in that, it's difficult to get back into textiles," he assures. Alain and Sylvia, 69 and 62, agree. This couple from Poitiers has just arrived to enjoy a few days of fun in their converted van. "Since we're all naked, there are no social barriers. We're all in the same boat. We don't really care about clothing brands," insists Alain. Underpants are not the order of the day here.

"The best way to start when you're a bit modest is to go to a beach alone."

Everyone praises the pleasure of swimming without a swimsuit. "The feeling is exceptional," assures Sylvia. While young people are rather rare in the campsite's aisles, David Montrignac announces an average age of between 40 and 50. "The best way to start when you're a little modest is to go to a beach alone. The fear of being judged quickly disappears. There's a lot of respect. We come as we are and we accept each other," reassures the fifty-year-old, who didn't invent the slogan for a certain fast-food chain. As for those who associate naturism with sexuality, the response is immediate. "There aren't any more of them than anywhere else."

While trashy movies like "My Priest Among the Nudists," starring the late Paul Preboist, have helped to ridicule this practice, the seriousness of the approach must be acknowledged. Naturism has real meaning for its practitioners. Some even go so far as to make this lifestyle their daily life, like Jean-Mi, a 68-year-old Belgian who has frequented Le Petit Dauphin every summer for seven years and who lives in Vera Playa, Spain, in a naturist resort the rest of the year. "Living in clothes is inconceivable to me," he confides. However, for his traditional bike ride in the Coubre forest, he has no choice. Moreover, for those who are forgetful, a sign posted at the campsite exit reminds them that crossing the barrier without a minimum of clothing is prohibited.

Nicolas and Chantal made the trip from Angoulême for the first time. "We're just discovering it, but we'll be back. Compared to a textile campsite, there's no comparison. Especially in terms of hygiene." The two found each other during the Covid crisis. "We became closer without knowing we were naturists." The campsite has also witnessed love stories. "Some met here. We have little dolphins now," Régis likes to point out. And perhaps future naturists...