My Very First Stand: Two Days in Paris, and Far More Than I Bargained For
It was my very first stand. Two days. Two naturist sports events in Paris, on April 18 and 19. I didn't really know what to expect—neither how many people would stop by, nor whether the posters would find takers in a sports environment rather than a holiday setting.
Spoiler alert: the answer was far beyond anything I had hoped for.
Saturday: The FFN Beach Volleyball Tournament at Sand Fabrik (Pantin)
I won't lie: there was a bit of stress before set-up. First stand, a whole new context, and I wasn't sure how things would play out in practice. But what instantly put me at ease was the warm welcome from the FFN (French Naturist Federation) and the incredible volunteers—always available and supporting me throughout the day. That kind of detail changes everything when you show up alone for the first time.
The venue was packed. A warm competitive atmosphere, filled with people who regularly meet up around sports naturism. I set up my booth, and people stopped by—not because they were looking to buy something, but because they recognized something. A place, a beach, a slice of their summer. From that point on, conversations just started flowing naturally.
This year, I was also a sponsor of the tournament, offering the Nus au Soleil beach volleyball poster to the winners. A few of the prize winners even came over to the stand to thank me. It’s one of those unexpected moments that truly warms your heart.
And then came a little story that made me smile: I had set up a small raffle at my stand. The winner collected his prize, and a few minutes later, he came back. He ended up leaving with four additional posters! Sometimes, chance makes introductions better than I ever could myself.
Sunday: The ANP ChampionNAT' Swim Meet at Roger Le Gall Pool (Paris 12th)
A different vibe—more intimate, but with the exact same warmth.
Naturist swimmers have something quite special about them: many of them travel extensively, know the best spots, and have strong opinions about the finest beaches in France.
Several of them whispered suggestions of destinations to illustrate. I jotted down a good dozen spots I either didn't know about or hadn't considered yet.
What Sold Out
Everything. The stickers, postcards, A4 and 30×40 cm posters, the t-shirt, and even the pouches. I didn't expect to sell pouches at a sports event—and yet, they were a hit! It says a lot about the diversity of the naturist community, and about how people are looking to bring home meaningful memories rather than plain gimmicks.
My Main Takeaways
The conversations. The encouraging words. People who took the time to pause, look at every illustration, and share their personal connection to a specific place. Great networking too, connecting me with people who might be interested in bringing the project further in the long run.
This weekend confirmed that Nus au Soleil truly belongs at naturist community events—not just as a merch stand, but as a space for conversation around the places we love.
The summer season is officially open. More to come very soon!
