We originally posted the below when we returned from our first trip last year, so have copied and pasted it below as hopefully it includes plenty of info for first timers, have amended it very slightly from the original :
We were there early July - but are going last two weeks of June this year. Have included some costs for information - we don't skimp on holidays, but there is a lot of variety so it is possible to do things much cheaper than we did if you need to.
Travel - flew Ryanair from Edinburgh to Beziers. Taxi from Beziers to the accommodation agency office just outside the naturist village. Checked in, left bags there whilst we walked to the entry kiosk to get our visitor passes to the village. Agency staff all spoke perfect English, and their whole process was very easy to deal with. Once checked in the staff gave us a lift to our apartment in a buggy - saved carrying the luggage, even though it would only have been a short walk.
Accommodation -Our apartment was situated on the first floor of Heliopolis, overlooking the car park! However, the apartment was very modern, small but fairly luxurious with everything we needed. We were glad we had a full size window shutter (kept things dark when sleeping in!) and aircon - having experienced how hot it is we would only have an apartment with aircon in future.
Naturism - very few (if any) clothes are worn by anyone during the day - an occasional wrap or pair of shorts - and things are all the better for it. You will see all ages, shapes and sizes - the general atmosphere in the village during the day is decidedly non-sexual. We hardly met any British people the whole time we were there, and only even heard a home accent a few times.
Shops - you can buy everything in the village (naked of course) from your daily supermarket shopping through to lingerie, clubwear, beach accessories etc.
Eating out - plenty of cheap pizza places, but some good restaurants too - notably Ghymnos, Mississippi and Horizon. Slightly bizarrely there is a very good Thai restaurant too located near Helio. Expect to pay 50 to 100 euros for a couple of courses and drinks/coffee. Excellent service everywhere.
Speaking French - we speak almost no French, but always tried what few phrases we had, which always went down well - most service staff had very good English, and with smiles and sign language we never had a problem.
Security - lots of police and security people around - the whole place felt completely safe at all times of the day and night.
Beach - about a 10 or 15 minute walk from Helio to the swingers beach area. There is a nice beach bar serving drinks and snacks. The central section of the beach gets packed, but just 10 yards or so to the rear there is plenty of room. The beach (like everywhere else) was notably busier at the weekend. There is a lifeguard/security station overlooking the beach, but no-one seemed to mind 'discreet' play during the day. Absolutely no problem from single guys - there were always some around, and would often lie close by and gaze wistfully at MrsMoo, but completely polite and respectful. The beach is scorching, so you will need to lug along mats/towels and an umbrella/shade, unless you pay for the loungers which are adjacent.
Pools - booking with AGN got us a free unlimited pass to Waiki Beach (don't know if this will be the same in 2018 as we heard a rumour it had changed hands) - a pool and café/bar located in the centre of the village, and this was a real find - its 15 euros for entry otherwise. Really comfy shades and loungers, lovely pool, chilled music, mildly erotic atmosphere and very attentive staff bring you cocktails, lovely food and assorted refreshments all day - then present you with an enormous bill when you leave. Worth every penny, and we spent pretty much every other day there if we weren't on the beach. Spent about 100 euros each day there.
Bars - limitless choice. Wokkers is the default seemingly for the british visitors (but we didn't encounter many) with nice owners and a very nice terrace overlooking the sea (again new owners for 2018 apparently) . Melrose the (in)famous bar is packed and throbbing - lots of pole dancing, noise, general rowdiness, showing off - great if that is your thing - didn't get much of a 'swingers' vibe there though - more a 'being a bit naughty on holiday' atmosphere.
Smoking - apparently there is a smoking ban, but note that plenty of the bars, clubs and restaurants have either smoking areas or rooms or even no restrictions at all - this might be a bit of a shock to non smoking UK travellers, but the Europeans don't seem to mind.
Swingers Clubs - didn't visit them all, so our club reviews are (like always with clubs) to be taken with the caveat that they are different every night. Note that Europeans don't mess about in clubs - they are not so much into endless chatting and socialising - play is open and they will reach out and see if you want to join in - this approach suits us perfectly, but might be a bit direct for others. No-one is ever persistent or impolite though. Generally the clubs seem to have a variable price for entry, which depends on how many inclusive drinks you have eg 30 euros with 2 drinks, or 50 euros including 4 drinks etc. You pays your money and you takes your choice.
Glamour Foam Party - every day 2pm to 7pm and fabulous. Pay to get in (25 euros?) and get there early so you can get a spot for your towel. You have to strip off and go in completely naked (not even shoes) - you can only take a towel. There is a bar, open loungers/play area, huge Jacuzzi and in a separate area what is best described as a 'foam filled pen' - lots of touching! Play and swinging is all in the open. Brilliant, sexy and quite glamorous.
Glamour Swingers Club - large club, play areas downstairs, several bars. Young crowd, all very friendly. Play areas downstairs were packed. Strict dress code - everyone looked smart. Didn't get going until midnight. Great fun and (like everywhere really) friendly crowd and a good atmosphere.
Le Jules - located underneath Waiki beach. We only stayed an hour - the clientele would best be described as 'mature' and it was nearly empty.
Tantra - downstairs was a bar/dancefloor, upstairs couples play area (with bar) and also area for single guys. All open play, very attentive staff 'wiping down' every exposed inch of surface continuously! Heavy, full on play straight away. The single guys (in separate area) very polite and a great atmosphere. Our favourite.
Clair Obscure - the BDSM club, and not often reviewed, presumably as it is a bit 'niche'. Very strict dress code for entry. Well equipped with separate 'rooms' and lots of equipment. Dark and sultry vibe, very hushed - an intense experience with a lot of different 'scenes' going on and a very wide ranging clientele. Far and away the best BDSM related venue we have ever been to. Some fairly extreme stuff going on, so not necessarily for the faint hearted, but we loved it.
If you are debating whether or not to go, we couldn't recommend it highly enough - without doubt the best 'sexy' holiday we've ever had. |
