As the world celebrates World Topless Day (August 26), the most recent figures show that the practice of sunbathing topless in France has fallen to a record low.
Le Parisien reports that women are concerned that baring their breasts might provoke assaults by men (48 percent). Further reasons cited for keeping breasts out of view are a fear of images being posted on social media and concerns over skin cancer.
Only 19 percent of French women said they now go topless on beaches, compared to 40 percent in 1984 and 34 percent in 2009.
It is perfectly legal for French women to go topless, a point of law made very clear by the authorities after two gendarmes ordered three women to put on their bikini tops following a holidaymaker’s complaint at Sainte-Marie-la-Mer last year.
FILE PHOTO: Toplessness is a legal right in France Reuters
