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PARIS (AP) - Worried about an excess of flesh visible on the banks of the River Seine, Paris City Hall has banned thong bikinis, topless sunbathing and nudity at the summer sand-in-the-city event known as Paris Beaches, Le Parisien newspaper reported Saturday.

Violators will be fined $48, the report said.

Thongs and "monokinis" - or bottom-only bikinis - are common sights on France's Mediterrannean and Atlantic shores.

Paris was pushed to forbid "indecent attire" because it could "provoke temptation and dangerous behavior along the bank of a river," Pascal Cherki, mayoral aide in charge of sports, was quoted as saying.

City officials responsible for Paris Beaches could not be reached for comment Saturday. It was unclear why the ban was only imposed this year, the fifth year of the popular event.

Mayor Bertand Delanoe inaugurated Paris Plages in 2002, filling sections of the left and right banks of the Seine with sand and installing spray misters, hammocks, parasols and other beach-style accoutrements. The monthlong event attracted 3.8 million people last year, and this year has pulled in many seeking relief from record heat.

Oooooo...."provoking temptation".....evilllll.....EEEEEEEVIL people....sinners! Hell-bound mockers; the depravity....I can't take the depravity.

(In case it's not coming through loud and clear...yes, that IS sarcasm you hear.) :yh_giggle

The French press is very noticeably reticent about connecting anything with race. But the mix of population in France has changed in the last few years. Violent cultural clashes based on - dare one actually say it - race and religion are on the increase. My guess is politicians in Paris find it easier to restrict the freedom of some, rather than deal with the nasty things that seem to happen increasingly frequently when others with less liberal world views take offence.

AussiePam wrote: restrict the freedom of some,
And when politicians start doing that, it's an almost guaranteed recipe for disaster. What do you think, Pam?

I dislike all politicians, BR. My cynicism is very deep and hey I've worked for a few. I still think there are only two kinds of politicians. Those who have clawed their way over the corpse of their grandmothers to get there and those who are altruistic but weird and find themselves there more or less by chance (Voters thought them the lesser evil for example). Most are in the first category. Having said that, I think the main 'duty' of politicians is to get power. The second is to hold on to it. So they are going to do whatever they think it takes to achieve these ends. If they're stupid and misread the views of their electors they'll end up out on their dupas. And there's nothing so out as an ex power player. So they work hard to get it correct, one way or another. This has nothing to do with actual right or wrong. Just with political expediency.

Does this answer your question?

But I really hope nobody agrees with me. If I'm right, which of course I'm not, it would be a sad world. Grin.

Nobody in their right mind goes to Paris in August, Floppy. It's the worst time of the year. And most Parisians get the heck out and head for anywhere else. These 'beaches' are for the few who have no option but to stay.

OOOOPS. Pinky, were you heading thataway shortly? Fergit what I said. Wear your thong and flaunt yer booty on the sandy banks of the River Seine.

Paris in August is a little like unto Nooo Yoik in August. Better to be somewhere else. If you can.

Awww jeez...let the puppies breathe !

Puppies???? Git them aminiles the heck outta this thread, Nomad. They'll foul the beach!!!!