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Last weekend I finally got around to visiting the Bredene Naaktstrand and can highly recommend it - at least when the weather is cooperating. You can see what the area looks like from the two attached pictures. They were taken near 'Post 6' about 200 m from the Bredene Rennbaan halt on the coastal tramline. One important detail; the first such signboard is across the busy coastal highway from the tram halt (which is on the central reservation), but instead of waiting for a break in the traffic, take the steps down to the pedestrian subway and cross safely! The only minor irritation I experienced was the lifeguard patrol in an inflatable boat which kept buzzing along to enforce the 'no swimming' rule (but paddling etc. within your depth is OK). Plenty of people fully enjoying the sunshine - some with deep overall tans, others like me more pink than brown - including singles and families with pre-teen children, but few if any teenagers... No sign of 'peeping toms' or other social pests, at least while I was there.
A few days later Alan followed this up with the news that Bredene beach would remain open through September and that in the following year, 2002, free public showers and toilets, and lifeguards (thus allowing swimming) would be provided.
Since writing the above, Alan has confirmed that free open-air cold-water showers are provided near the main entrance to the beach, but toilet use and warm showers cost €0.30 and €1.00 respectively.
On 18th August 2005 an article in the French language newspaper 'Le Vif' confirmed that the beach will continue to be open for naturist use in 2006. Many thanks to Alan for the following free translation...
"Bredene intends to extend its naturist beach next year. The mayor, Willy Vanhooren, wants the naturist beach to be fully renovated and presented his plans for doing so on Thursday. The naturist beach will be extended, and so the part of the beach currently reserved for clothed holiday makers will be moved a short distance. The naturist beach of Bredene was opened there four years ago with a width of 450 metres. It is located at the border with the seaside resort of De Haan, but as this commune does not agree to the beach being extended on its territory, the municipality of Bredene will have to extend it towards Ostend. "There will be 200 metres more", explained Willy Vanhooren, specifying that he will present this proposal at the municipal council later in the year. The beach reserved for clothed people will also be widened."
Alan also reported that according to "Le Soir" the naturist beach has over 3000 users.
Bredene (Web site: http://www.bredene.be) is a small but progressive resort with plenty of apartments to rent; if you don't find it 'lively' enough, you're only a few minutes' away from Oostende (Ostend). There are three daily fast ferry services from Dover. By the Eurostar service between London, Ashford and Lille Europe, the journey from Ashford to Lille is less than an hour. From Lille Flandres there are frequent rail connections via Brugge. From Oostende the coastal tram service takes about 15 minutes to get to the Bredene Rennbaan stop. From there the beach is clearly signposted in four languages and only a few minutes' walk away.
Unlike the casual disregard for all rules shown by the French or the do-as-you-would-be-done-by pragmatics of the Dutch, it appears that any foreign visitor going to a Belgian beach is at risk of breaking a whole catalogue of rules. From beachcombing to kite flying one needs to tread with care. Alan has pointed to an English language version of an extensive (but not recently updated) list of rules for beach activities at http://www.dekust.org/EN/visitor/coast/beaches/What is allowed 3F/
Q.20 ( Can you enter the beach naked?) of this site clearly points out that not only is Bredene beach the only public space in Belgium where public nudity is permitted but in some coastal resorts even the common northern European practice of allowing small children to run naked on a beach is expressly prohibited.
Q.18 ( When and where is bathing allowed?) is also of interest. It says, "Bathing is only allowed in the guarded areas - Several municipalities have also determined certain periods and conditions for bathing. The coloured flags determine if you are allowed to bathe at certain times."
According to a report in one French language newspaper, it appears that since May 2005 a fine of €250 could be the consequence of un-authorised swimming in the sea on any Belgian beach. When trying to assess just how accurate this report is it should be remembered that it is almost a national sport in Belgium for the Walloon (French speaking) media and the Flemish (Dutch speaking) media each to try to 'score points'. Bredene is part of the Flemish community. Nevertheless, clothed or unclothed, it would be prudent to take local advice concerning whether it is permissable to swim at any place or at any time when lifeguards are not present.
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