Location
France
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Mixed
Best season
June to September
About Gravière du Blauelsand
The Gravière du Blauelsand is a former gravel pit on the Rhine side of Strasbourg's north-eastern edge, in the Robertsau. It lies in an area of old gravel workings beside the river, towards the Port aux Pétroles and not far from the European Parliament district. The surrounding woods belong to the national nature reserve of the Robertsau and La Wantzenau forest, so the setting is green and largely undeveloped, with natural banks rather than a built beach. The French naturist federation (FFN) lists it as a naturist site with about 2 km of shoreline used for nude bathing. Bathing is unsupervised, and there are no facilities. It is the nude-bathing spot closest to Strasbourg on the FFN list. Bathers spread out along the natural banks. Sources do not agree on its distance from the city centre, citing anything from about five minutes from the Palais de l'Europe to about 10 km north of Strasbourg.
Getting there
From the European quarter (Palais de l'Europe) at the Robertsau, head east towards the Port aux Pétroles and the Rhine. The FFN describes the site as about five minutes from the Palais de l'Europe in that direction. Parking is informal near the forest tracks. The last stretch is on foot along woodland paths in the nature reserve. Strasbourg trams and buses serve the European quarter, followed by a walk. There is no wheelchair access to the banks.
Legal context
The FFN, via Atout France's national tourism site, lists Blauelsand as a naturist bathing site, but no municipal naturist decree was found. It lies within a national nature reserve, so reserve rules (no fires, camping, or leaving paths in protected zones) apply. Swimming is unsupervised (2026).
Naturism at Gravière du Blauelsand sits under France's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: France public nudity guide.
Naturist status confirmed against an official source on 24 October 2026.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 48.6244, 7.8274
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
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Frequently asked questions
Is nude bathing allowed at Blauelsand?
The French naturist federation lists it as a naturist site with about 2 km of shoreline. No municipal decree was found, so treat it as an established but unofficial naturist spot.
Is there a lifeguard?
No. Swimming in the gravel pit is unsupervised.
How do I find it?
Head from the Palais de l'Europe at the Robertsau towards the Port aux Pétroles and the Rhine, then continue on foot along the forest paths.
Are there facilities?
No. The banks are largely natural, in a nature reserve, so bring what you need and take your rubbish home.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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