Australian influencer Lauren Lakin has warned travellers to pack appropriate swimwear after her family was refused entry to a public pool in France during a heatwave. The 40-year-old mother of three shared the incident on Instagram on Monday, explaining that her husband Kit and their young son were turned away for wearing boardshorts.
Hygiene Rule Sparks Confusion
In the video, Lakin says the family attempted to cool off at a local pool near their Airbnb as temperatures soared to 40C across western Europe. However, they were stopped at the entrance due to a hygiene rule that prohibits loose-fitting swim shorts for males. "We just got rejected by the local pool. There's a pool that is right near our Airbnb. We went to go in and they wouldn't allow Kit to wear swim shorts. No board shorts," she explains.
Her husband Kit joked that his attire was "not revealing enough," adding, "They must be skin tight and hugging the genitalia to allow you into the pool. These are too conservative apparently." Lakin noted that the pool had a vending machine selling appropriate swimwear.
Only Males Affected
The rule applied only to the male members of the family. "It was just the boys, the girls could wear whatever, but the boys had to wear the speedos," Lakin elaborated. Her young son, also in boardshorts, was similarly denied entry.
In the caption, Lakin wrote: "Pack your budgie smugglers if you're heading to France. We looked up why this is the rule, it's due to hygiene reasons. Apparently board shorts are worn outside and in other public places whereas swimmers are only worn at the pool, therefore more hygienic." She added that it has been a French tradition for years and said she respects the rule, vowing to get Kit some "Euro shorts" before attempting the pool again.
Public Reaction
Lakin's video sparked discussion among her followers, many of whom were unaware of the regulation. She asked her audience: "Did you know this about France?" The incident serves as a reminder for travellers to research local customs and rules, especially regarding public facilities like pools.
