Situated close to the famous vineyards of Bordeaux, Euronat is also just a few miles from the birthplace of French naturism, the village of Montalivet.

Expansive is a word that comes to mind when describing this superbe beach, complete with nude lifeguards, on France’s southwest Atlantic coast. Adjoining the beach is a park with full facilities; trailers, tents and chalets are available for rent.

It would seem odd to wear any clothing at all at Euronat if the sun is out and the air is warm. It is strangely liberating to buy your daily bread at the patisserie (bakery), your International Herald Tribune at the kiosque a journaux (newsstand), and a bottle of wine for dinner at the négociant en vins (wine merchant) dressed in nothing more than a baseball cap, if even that. When you want shade, just walk under the mantle of the magnificent pine-treed forest in which all the buildings and roads of Euronat are nestled.

From the Bordeaux St Jean station: take a train to Lesparre then take the bus to EURONAT (only in July and August). For the other months: take a train to Soulac sur Mer then a taxi to EURONAT. To drive from Bordeaux: take rocade exit n°8, RD 1215 Lesparre, Vensac, then follow the signs (about 90 minutes drive).