Topless sunbathing, g-strings banned on Paris beach

PARIS, July 30 (Reuters) Parisian sunbathers will no longer be allowed to go nude or wear g-strings on the capital's artificial beaches and risk a fine if they are caught baring their breasts or buttocks.

City hall has issued a decree banning indecent clothing to preserve the tranquillity of the sandy beaches created on the banks of the River Seine every summer since 2001.

''People must behave according to good standards to maintain tranquillity, security and public order,'' the decree said, according to yesterday's edition of Le Parisien. ''Notably indecent attire (nude sunbathing, g-strings and toplessness etc) is forbidden.'' The city police will be enforcing the rules, and anyone caught baring too much flesh risks a 38 euro fine.

Defending the decree, city hall sports official Pascal Cherki told Le Parisien that indecent clothing ''could have led to temptations and dangerous behaviour on the banks of the river.'' Topless sunbathing and g-strings are common on real beaches around France in the summer.

REUTERS SRS BST0541