We are delighted to share this interview from Alexis from France who runs Projet Symbiose.
As part of ANW's want to enhance understanding and appreciation of naturism we are sharing a selection of articles and interviews with ANW members exploring naturism. ANW believes in safeguarding naturism with a genuine, healthy and respectful approach to social nudity and in doing so has an ever growing membership of friendly and appropriate users.
We also believe that naturism unites us and connects us. Beyond national boundaries, age, gender, religion sexual orientation and culture. These articles aim to show how naturists are connected through a mutual respect and understanding of social nudity. Inspiring people to get involved with naturism and the various naturist opportunities the world has to offer.
1 Tell us a little about yourself and your part of the world.
I currently live near Paris (Île-de-France), the capital of France. I'm an entrepreneur working in the field of children's and family entertainment, and I'm also an author.
2 What was the attitude towards nudity and naturism in your home and upbringing as a child and teen?
I didn't have any particular upbringing in this area; I discovered it as a young adult. The atmosphere wasn't relaxed enough in my family to even consider naturism.
3 How did you first get involved in naturism and what were your initial thoughts?
At first, I tried a swimming pool with a naturist schedule in Paris. Then a small estate in the Île-de-France countryside. I really liked the well-being it provided.
4. Do you think that your initial reasons and attitudes towards naturism have changed since then and how?
Yes, they have changed a lot: before, it was just for vacations and leisure, now it's primarily for artistic and professional purposes.
5.Tell us about your naturist adventures so far.
At first, nothing special to tell. Pretty standard vacations... Then I helped the AJNF (the young naturist movement, which no longer exists) a little with some of their stays. I developed some body paintings there, since I've always enjoyed drawing. Little by little, the project of pursuing an artistic approach around body painting was born.
6. How would you best explain naturism to someone new to it and what advice would you offer to them?
Whether you like it or not, it's a bit like everything else: it's interesting to try it, out of curiosity, without asking questions. There's no obligation. It's such an easy thing to do; there's nothing special to recommend.
7. What do you think naturism has taught you about yourself?
It's allowed me to meet lots of nice people thanks to my artistic approach. This world is changing because in France it's becoming increasingly commercial and bourgeois, at least in certain areas.
8. Do you think that there are certain people better suited to naturism and others that are not suited to it?
Absolutely not. In the context of today's society, yes. For example, there's a gap between social classes, beliefs, and religions. Let's be frank... For example: I hardly ever meet any Jews, and to my knowledge, absolutely no Muslims. Far more Christians. Black and Asian people also come very rarely.
9. How does your country consider naturism?
France is the country of naturism, but roughly 50% of it comes from vacationers from other countries.
In general, people are quite tolerant of naturist places, but often a little mocking.
10. Would you like to see naturism grow over the next 30 years?
Yes, because it inevitably leads to greater body acceptance.
11 What are the biggest problems that naturism is currently facing?
Divisions in society affect the population who frequent these places. For me, a major concern with naturism today is that it is no longer very much linked to art, personal development, or interaction between people…
12. If the world was accepting of naturism - happy to take on a clothing optional policy in most situations - how do you think it would change the way society works - what positives could you imagine and do you think there would be any negatives?
If the world accepted naturism globally, then one consequence would be that people would be more open about body differences. But this idea is highly utopian.
13. Are there any aspect of naturism that frustrates you or annoys you or you feel let down by?
There needs to be more communication between people. If I didn't have my artistic approach, I would have difficulty communicating with others.
14. Has there ever been a specific day, location, venue, activity that at the end of it has made you think: this is naturism at its best?
In 2024 in Bélézy, when I heard some vacationers playing the piano, another the accordion, while I was body-painting and there was a nude sketching workshop a few meters away.
15. Do you speak to friends and family about your naturism?
I choose who I talk to. Very rarely, colleagues. Family, yes. Friends, yes. It's never had any particular consequences.
16. Why do you think people should join ANW? What can existing naturists get from it and how about "newbies"?
It's good to socialize, exchange ideas... But it's best to combine this with real-life experiences.
17. If you could go anywhere in the world now as a naturist where would it be?
Australia or New Zealand, for the beautiful scenery. But I don't actually know what naturism is like there.
18. If ANW wasn't about naturism but something else entirely what other life choice/hobby/interest/passion...would have made you consider joining it?
A site about street art, tribal arts, literature, for example.
19. Many naturists incorporate naturism into the daily home life - how important do you think that is to naturists?
It's not necessarily naturism. Personally, I don't do it, but living in an apartment in a warm area doesn't make it easy. I prefer to combine it with nature, the countryside, the sea, the mountains, etc.
20. You run Projet Symbiose tell us about this.
So far, I've worked with people from 0 to 80 years old, generally smiling, enjoying the process, pleasant, and patient. The philosophy is simple: wanting to become a work of art, participating in an artistic creation. The model, when posing, becomes an artist themselves because their way of being changes the way they look at the drawing.
21. Do you come from an art background or is it something you have picked up through the Project?
I've been an artist since childhood: drawing, writing, dancing... I come from a cultured, somewhat artistic background.
22. How do you come up with designs, and is it something that those being painted get involved with too?
It depends! It all works on a case-by-case basis. People often tell me to do what inspires me. Sometimes they give me a few guidelines (not a particular color... not a particular body part...).
23. How about the future? What next for Projet Symbiose? Would you like to take it abroad?
Yes, it's a possibility. If people agree to communicate in English... I have trouble with other languages.
Today, what I need is...
New subscribers (who pay a sum annually or monthly, via KoFi, and in exchange have access to the site where I publish all the photos).
New naturist resorts who want to host a stay (I like to change locations!). In France or abroad.
The purchase of a new camera, better than the one from summer 2025, and learning how to use it.
A huge thank you to Alexis for taking part in this interview. To find out more about Projet Symbiose, see more examples of his wonderful art and find more information and website links visit his page on ANW.
ANW welcomes all who are respectful and interested in naturism and invite all genuine naturist organisations, clubs, events, venues and other opportunities to be part of the ANW community and work with us to encourage the growth and acceptance of naturism around the world. If you have any questions email Anna and Steve at [email protected]
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