expert

A beloved BBC expert made a heartbreaking admission during Friday’s episode of Morning Live

A BBC expert has revealed a “devastating” childhood trauma that left him with nothing.

During Friday’s (February 27) edition of Morning Live, hosts Louise Minchin and Greg Rutherford updated viewers on the latest news from across the UK.

At the start of the show, Louise and Greg introduced a segment on electric blankets, after many have failed basic standards with “serious consequences”.

In a pre-recorded segment, consumer expert Harry Kind, who regularly offers advice on the show, shared his own personal trauma, after a fire destroyed his childhood home.

“They’ve become a popular staple in British homes during the winter months, being both cheap and run and cosy to snuggle up into. But across the UK every year, dozens of domestic fires are caused by faulty, damaged, and incorrectly used electric blankets,” Harry began.

“I know from personal experience just how devastating a house fire can be. When I was 14, our family home completely burnt down, and we lost pretty much all of our possessions.

“In my case, the fire started in the chimney, but last year, house fires caused by electric blankets in England hit a five-year high.”

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QUEEN of Sun Holidays from £9.50 Tracy Kennedy is back to answer all your burning questions on booking your break

The £9.50 holiday deal is the ultimate steal, but with hundreds of parks and dates to choose from, how do you make sure you’re bagging the best of the bunch?

Having taken Sun holidays for the past 30 years, our expert Tracy Kennedy has plenty of experience when it comes to Holidays from £9.50.

So whether you’re looking for the holiday parks with the most beautiful beaches, or the very best in entertainment, Tracy is here to answer your questions and help you find the perfect park.

This week, Sun reader Maureen Findley has been awarded best question of the week – which means she’s been selected to win a £100 Amazon voucher. Congratulations, Maureen!

What is the best place to travel in the winter?

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Best £9.50 Holiday parks for families & how to travel on a budget – by our expert

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Our £9.50 Holidays expert answers YOUR questions – including top parks for couples

Dawn Baines

If you’re planning a holiday in the winter, I’d recommend looking for somewhere with a lot of indoor things to do.

Start by checking the websites of parks you’re interested in to see what activities they have that take place indoors.

And if you don’t mind going out for a brisk winter walk, a lot of places look really pretty in the snow, too.

Scotland and North Wales are beautiful in winter. From some sites in North Wales you can see the top of Mount Snowdon, and it looks so lovely in the snow.

Which holiday is suitable for a mixed age family?

Maureen Findley

I’d recommend somewhere like Billing Aquadrome in Northampton. That site truly has everything for all ages.

You can go fishing or swimming, plus you’ve got arcades and a ball pit for the little ones.

There’s lots of walks all around the area and the lakes too, if the older members of the family want to get some peace and quiet.

Plus they have an outdoors amphitheatre with entertainment for all sorts of different age groups.

Is there a specific week in the year that is less popular and therefore easier to book?

Ceri Mullen

This depends on if you’re bringing children on your holiday. But if you’re going as a couple or group of adults, you should definitely book during term time.

I’d say the best week to go would be when the kids go back to school in early September.

You get some really good deals and nice weather then, too. Early June just before the schools break up is another good time.

If you’ve bringing the kids, then October is less busy than summer, but still packed with activities and things to do for Halloween.

Sometimes the half term dates are different throughout the UK, so if you live in a different part of the country to your holiday park, then you might be able to go the week before or the week after their half term.

Which park has the best evening entertainment for families?

Nikki Lewis

I’ve always loved the entertainment at Parkdean Resorts holiday parks.

I found Lower Hyde on the Isle of Wight had some fantastic entertainment.

You had bingo and quizzes which were both great for mums, dads and kids to all join in together.

Then you’ve got discos and character meet and greets, which are great for the kids.

Some of us adults then stayed up and watched a couple of comics, and they were absolutely fantastic. They had some hilarious jokes which I definitely can’t repeat!

What are some of the most popular locations?

Rebekah Lewington

I see the names of lots of popular parks pop up over and over again.

Seal Bay in West Sussex is one of the top parks and for good reason, it speaks for itself. There’s loads to do on that park, it’s massive!

There’s a free bus that picks you up and takes you where you want all around the park – which is especially great if you’re not so mobile.

Trecco Bay in Porthcawl is another popular one. The whole park is absolutely gorgeous, and people always recommend it after going there.

Lyons Robin Hood in Rhyl is also very popular. There’s loads to do on that site, with family entertainment all through the day into the evenings.

There’s a fantastic arcade, a soft play and even a train on site that takes you for a little ride around the park.

Now they’e building a high ropes course, so if you’ve got kids that enjoy adventurous activities then I’d recommend it!

Plus you’ve got the beach across the road where you can go seal spotting.

Before I book a location, can I find reviews to see what other families made of the park?

Graeme Sutherland

There’s lots of reviews online for the holiday parks, and you can check Google reviews to see what other people thought about their stay.

But I’d also recommend searching the park name on Facebook. People in my Facebook group put their photos and reviews up all the time from their £9.50 holidays.

It’s also a good way to see what’s on at each park, and get some extra tips and tricks on what people enjoyed doing there.

There’s also people in the Facebook group who post about what’s going on in their area, so you can get clued up before you go!

Which park would you say has the best beach?

Lisa Evans

I’ve stayed in a lot of coastal resorts and love visiting beaches, so this is a really difficult one!

But I think the best beach I’ve found would be Towan Beach in Newquay, as well as Fistral Beach.

They’re both absolutely stunning, clean beaches in Cornwall with clear water.

There’s also surf schools, cafes, ice cream shops, restaurants and more nearby – Newquay has everything you’d want from a beach.

After some initial resistance, CBS News has cut ties with contributor Peter Attia, whose name appears more than 1,700 times in the files of pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Attia, a physician who specializes in longevity medicine, was among the 19 contributors named last month by CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss. A CBS News executive confirmed Attia’s departure Monday.

Attia’s resignation was agreed upon after discussions with Weiss, according to one of her associates. He had not appeared on the network since the announcement of his hiring in January.

Once Attia’s name showed up in the cache of Epstein files released by the Department of Justice earlier this month, it seemed as though cutting him loose would be a no-brainer for the news division.

But Weiss, who came to CBS News when parent company Paramount acquired her contrarian digital site the Free Press last fall, is highly skeptical of cancel culture and resisted immediate action, according to people familiar with her thinking.

A representative for Attia said he quit because “he wanted to ensure his involvement didn’t become a distraction from the important work being done at CBS.”

Any appearance on the network probably would have generated a spate of negative stories.

Attia’s email exchanges with Epstein included a crude discussion about female genitalia.

Another message showed Attia expressing dismay that he could not discuss Epstein’s activities. “You [know] the biggest problem with becoming friends with you? The life you lead is so outrageous, and yet I can’t tell a soul …,” Attia wrote.

In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges of soliciting prostitution, including from a minor. He was found dead in his jail cell in 2019, about a month after being arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges

From a business standpoint, keeping Attia at CBS was untenable. Health-related segments are attractive to advertisers and it’s highly unlikely that any sponsor would want their commercials adjacent to him.

Attia had already been dropped by AGI, a company that makes powdered supplements,where he was a scientific advisor. He also stepped away from his role as chief science officer for David, a protein bar maker.

CBS News pulled an October “60 Minutes” profile of Attia that was scheduled to re-air this month.

Attia apologized for his interactions with Epstein. He said he had not been involved in any criminal activity and had never visited Epstein’s island.

“I apologize and regret putting myself in a position where emails, some of them embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible, are now public, and that is on me,” Attia wrote. “I accept that reality and the humiliation that comes with it.”

Attia wrote the bestselling book “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” and hosts a popular podcast. His company, Early Medical, offers a program that teaches people to live healthier as they age.

Holiday expert Rob has shared the four ‘best’ places to visit in March, saying the destinations offer the same level of sunshine as your usual July to August getaways but at lower prices

It’s no secret that jetting off during the summer months can set you back nearly twice as much, prompting savvy holidaymakers to shift their breaks earlier in the calendar. Lending a hand, travel guru Rob has revealed his top four destinations to visit this March, promising sunshine levels that rival your typical peak season getaways.

In an Instagram clip, Rob, who goes by @rob.onthebeach online, explained: “I’ve seen loads of people asking me recently, where’s hot in March? But the better question is, where’s hot and cheap this March? Because March might just be the perfect month for a holiday. We’re coming out of winter at home, the mornings are brighter, but it’s still freezing and wet. And in March, holiday demand is still relatively low, which means some destinations really fly under the radar on heat and price.”

To compile his recommendations, he examined multiple countries based on their March climate, booking patterns and current prices.

Kicking off his rundown, he revealed: “In fourth place, I’ve picked Fuerteventura, because March is one of my favourite months for the Canaries, and Fuerteventura is probably my favourite island.”

“You’re getting heat in the 20s, loads of sunshine, and it’s warm enough all day without feeling sticky like it can do in summer. Plus it’s quieter, calmer, and everything just feels easier.”

Moving along, he spotlighted Paphos, declaring: “March in Cyprus is criminally underrated”. He remarked: “It’s not roasting, but it’s still really warm. Sun on your face, lunches outside, pool days when the sun’s out, and it’s way less touristy than summer.”

Egypt claimed his runner-up spot thanks to its pleasant climate, with him adding: “High 20s to low 30s most days. Wall-to-wall sunshine, and seawater that’s perfect for swimming in, snorkelling in, or just floating in doing absolutely nothing.”

Topping his list, he crowned Las Vegas as the ultimate March getaway destination.

He explained: “I know it’s a bit of a wild card, but hear me out. March in Vegas is bang on. Hot days, cooler evenings, loads and loads and loads to do. And prices that are way softer than people expect.

“Now if you don’t believe me still, check out this deal I found. For four nights in March at the Strat Hotel with flights from Heathrow, it’s coming in at only £563 per person.

“For maybe the US’s best ever city break with sunshine, entertainment, pools, food, shows. This is seriously strong value in March.

“It’s warm, it’s unrivaled when it comes to fun, and it’s way more holiday than you’d expect to get at this price.”

Travel expert Simon Calder warns that dual British citizens with expired UK passports could face £589 certificate fees as new electronic travel authorisation rules come into force from February 25

Travel expert Simon Calder has issued advice to Brits travelling to and from Europe. The alert comes as a significant change affecting UK-bound travellers takes effect on February 25.

From that date, anyone wishing to visit the UK who isn’t British or Irish must register for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). The Government describes it as delivering ‘a more streamlined, digital immigration system which will be quicker and more secure‘.

An ETA serves as digital travel permission – it’s neither a visa nor a tax and doesn’t guarantee UK entry – rather, it authorises someone to journey to Britain. However, Mr Calder highlighted another aspect that could trip people up.

Speaking to the Independent, he warned that British citizens holding out-of-date passports might encounter problems. He explained: “There’s growing confusion and concern about electronic borders. The first change that’s going to be happening is on the 25th of February.

“It’s going to be mandatory for everyone who is not a British or Irish citizen and who wants to travel to the UK to register for the electronic travel authorisation. This is the online permit that increasingly many countries are demanding.

“That is clear, except that it also means that dual citizens who have the right to live in the UK have to enter on a British passport or have a certificate of entitlement to live in the UK. British passports cost £94.50. That certificate of entitlement is £589. And there is concern that a lot of people who are British citizens but don’t have a valid passport for all sorts of reasons-they’ve never needed one, they had one but it lapsed, they’ve got a perfectly good passport from somewhere else-they are going to have to have either that passport or the certificate of entitlement if they want to come to the UK.

“Again, this does not apply to anybody with the immense wisdom and good fortune to have an Irish passport, because that is the passport with superpowers that will get you in and out of the UK and indeed the European Union without any problems at all.”

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According to the 2021 Census, approximately 1.26 million usual residents across England and Wales held multiple passports. The Home Office has cautioned that airlines will be verifying passengers have the correct documentation.

The right of abode that Mr Calder references permits you to live or work in the UK without any immigration restrictions whatsoever. If you possess the right of abode, you do not require a visa or ETA to enter the UK.

There’s no cap on how long you can remain in the country. Concerns have also emerged regarding Europe’s new biometric border system currently being introduced.

Several airports have allegedly experienced delays stretching up to six hours, prompting warnings of potential travel ‘chaos’.

The European Commission indicated it might be feasible to suspend the new system during busy periods until September. Mr Calder explained: “The European Union’s entry-exit system started to be rolled out in October. By the 9th of April, it is supposed to be in a position where everybody is able to enter or exit through those Schengen area frontiers, just being fingerprinted on the first occasion and having a facial biometric taken. After that, it’s going to be the facial biometric all the way.

“Now, the airports and the airlines are saying it’s a terrible thing, it’s not working properly. We’ve already seen two-hour queues; they’re warning of four-hour queues in the summer. They want it to be suspended. No sense that it will be or not at the moment. Europe says it is going well, but don’t be surprised if it is.

“The only advice I can offer, because this is simply something that’s done to you-you don’t need to prepare for it-is when you’re coming back from the Schengen area, I would turn up at the airport really early just to make sure you make your plane, because it applies on the way out as well as on the way in to the Schengen area.”

Feb. 17 (UPI) — The Venezuelan government on Tuesday released Evanan Romero, a Venezuelan-American oil consultant detained four days earlier at the Maracaibo airport, without a judicial warrant or formal charges publicly announced.

Romero, 86, a Venezuelan with U.S. citizenship, was detained by authorities under Delcy Rodríguez’s government while attempting to travel from Maracaibo to Caracas, where he had scheduled a series of meetings with companies in the oil sector.

After an initial detention, Romero spent the first night at Interpol facilities at the airport. The next day, due to his advanced age and medical condition, authorities authorized his transfer to a private clinic in Maracaibo, where he remained under guard, local outlet Efecto Cocuyo reported.

The release occurred without official statements from the government. Local journalists and media outlets, such as Spain’s ABC, reported Romero’s detention.

“I’ve been here since Friday,” the expert said from a private clinic, while guards remained in an adjacent room.

Romero had planned to meet with the local management of Repsol and to participate in a videoconference with Reliance’s leadership in India to discuss a possible return to oil blocks in the Orinoco Belt.

He also had meetings scheduled with investors interested in the energy stabilization phase that would reportedly be coordinated from Washington after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro in a U.S. military operation Jan. 3.

The consultant had arrived in Venezuela from Panama, with a stop in Colombia, intending to visit a relative before traveling to the capital.

In statements to ABC, Romero said his detention could be linked to a past administrative dispute related to a family investment, which he said was resolved in his favor by the Supreme Court of Justice.

No Venezuelan authority has publicly confirmed that or provided details about the case.

Romero is part of a committee of about 400 former state-owned oil company Petróleos de Venezuela technicians and executives dedicated to developing proposals for rebuilding the energy sector under a future government, Infobae reported.

He has maintained contacts with U.S. oil companies such as Exxon and ConocoPhillips, and his name has appeared in discussions about compensation for expropriated assets and the opening of new blocks, the publication added.

Romero is considered a veteran expert in Venezuela’s oil sector, with more than six decades of experience. He served on the board of PDVSA, since the 1960s, with responsibilities in operational oversight, capital projects and maritime operations.

He later served as president and chief executive officer of Grupo Asesor Petrolero Venezolano LLC, a firm specializing in reservoir performance studies, reserves evaluation, thermal recovery of heavy crude and basin master development plans.

He has also been affiliated with the Harvard Electricity Policy Group at Harvard University.

The detention occurred just days after the visit to Caracas by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright at a time when the White House has intensified pressure for the release of political prisoners and reiterated that reconstruction of the oil sector will depend on clear legal and political guarantees.

President Donald Trump has publicly argued that major U.S. companies should invest billions of dollars to repair deteriorated infrastructure and restore production.

BBC Morning Live viewers said instead of £700 they will get £420 payout – and be ‘bombarded with calls and texts’

A BBC expert has given a warning to anyone who bought a car between 6th April 2007 and 1st November 2024. Finance expert Iona Bain told BBC Morning Live viewers that they face losing out by £280 on average if they make the wrong decision.

Ms Bain told hosts Helen Skelton and Rav Wilding that the car finance compensation scheme final details will be released in March – but people could miss out by appointing a claims company.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is hoping to compensate motorists who were unfairly sold a car loan between 2007 and 2024 because they were not properly informed about the commission paid to brokers, including car dealers.

Under the current proposals, about 14 million car finance deals could be eligible for compensation, with people estimated to get an average of £700 per agreement.

Ms Bain said: “So, if you took out car finance with a vehicle that was bought between 6th April 2007 and 1st November 2024, and if the car finance deal you got was Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), then you could be eligible for a share of this compensation bill, which is £8 billion.

“Essentially, we’re talking about the commission that was paid behind the scenes by car finance lenders to brokers whenever they sold one of these deals. Customers weren’t always aware of the level and scale of this commission, and that meant, in many cases, customers ended up with car finance deals that were more expensive and less competitive than they should have been.

“And that’s certainly what the Supreme Court ultimately ruled, and it decided that compensation was due to all those customers that were potentially in that situation. So look, it’s taken a while to get to this point, but now the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)—which is Britain’s regulator in this area—it’s said it’s going to be publishing the system for how people can apply for compensation in the next month or so.”

She said that the system being created will be straightforward and most importantly free to use. She said: “You can make a claim yourself; you don’t have to rely on a third party like a claims company. It should be completely straightforward for you to do yourself.”

She warned about claims management companies bombarding people – and explained they are making unfair claims and then will take large fees. She said: “If you see these adverts online, they are very enticing. They make claims like, “We’ll handle your claim for you,” “No win, no fee,” or “You could get thousands. But this is the reality: if you use one of these claims companies—whilst it’s perfectly legal to do so—they can take 20% to 40% of your compensation.”

Someone getting a payout of £700 would end up paying £280 to the company. Ms Bain added: “It is a lot. It means you won’t keep all the money that you’re ultimately owed. The fees can be buried in the small print, and you may not be aware of them until you’ve signed on the dotted line.

“So, one example is: let’s say you’ve signed up for a claims company, but then you change your mind—and that’s your right to do so. Some of these claims companies are charging termination fees for the work that’s been done, and those termination fees can be spurious and disproportionate for the work that’s actually been done.”

She said one prominent advert claimed the average car finance compensation that’s being paid out is going to be over £1,800. Ms Bain added: “I’m just going to say it: that’s not true. It’s not true, and the reason for that is that the FCA has not confirmed what compensation people are going to be getting. So, it has said that the average amount that will be paid out will be £700. Some people will get more, some people will get less, but it’s impossible to say at this stage what individuals will be getting until we know more about that FCA process.

“And also, I’m hearing these reports of people seeing these adverts, then giving their contact details to these claims companies, and then being bombarded by texts and calls trying to persuade them to sign up. I personally think that’s unacceptable.”

Other things to watch out for are:

• Upfront fees
• Unexplained charges
• A company promising guaranteed payouts or huge sums of money.

Ms Bain explained: “These are all big red flags. Just a reminder: you don’t need to use one of these companies. You can do this yourself and you get to keep all the compensation.”

Morning Live has provided a template for this on their website here.

WHEN winter drags on and the heating bill lands, most of us start asking the same question…

Where’s warm, easy to get to, and won’t drain my bank account?

Instead of guessing, I decided to settle it properly.

In my day job at one of the UK’s top travel companies, I built an algorithm to rank the best winter sun destinations for 2026, using the things that actually matter to holidaymakers – price, winter temperatures, flight time, hotel value, popularity and availability.

I made an eqaution and it gave each spot a score out of 100.

Every major winter sun destination went in: the Canaries, Turkey, Egypt, the Caribbean, long-haul and short-haul.

Some familiar favourites scored brilliantly, others just missed out. Here’s the list.

10. Madeira (Score: 41)

A brilliant destination and one of my personal favourites, Madeira scores well for scenery, food and short flight times, but loses points on winter warmth.

Temperatures are pleasant rather than hot with average highs of 20C, which kept it out of the top half of the list.

That said, for travellers who want winter sun somewhere that’s calmer and a bit more of a hidden gem, it’s hard to beat.

I found February B&B breaks at hotels like Golden Residence in Funchal from around £345pp, which is very good value for a smart European city-break-style escape – just don’t go expecting summer heat.

9. Lanzarote (Score: 43)

Lanzarote is one of the most reliable winter sun destinations on the map, and that consistency is exactly why it scores well for availability and flight time.

Where it loses ground is popularity – demand stays high all winter, which naturally pushes prices up compared to less-busy rivals.

Even so, February room-only stays at hotels like THB Royal from £165pp show why it remains a firm favourite – warm with average highs of 22C, easy, affordable and no surprises.

8. Barbados (Score: 45)

Barbados delivers near-perfect winter weather with average highs of 29C and postcard beaches, scoring top marks for temperature and overall experience.

What holds it back is cost. Longer flights and higher hotel prices mean it’s not a budget-friendly option for most families.

February room-only stays at beachfront hotels can reach £913pp, before food or extras – incredible value for a Caribbean escape, but not one for bargain hunters.

7. Fuerteventura (Score: 48)

Fuerteventura performs strongly for value and space. It’s warmer than mainland Europe with average highs of 22C, quieter than Tenerife, and offers excellent winter deals.

It drops a few points on temperature, as winter highs are slightly cooler than the top-ranked destinations, but it remains a strong all-rounder.

February breaks at resorts like Bakour Fuerteventura La Pared from £220pp just go to show the great value for a relaxed Canary Islands winter escape.

6. Marrakech (Score: 51)

Marrakech scores highly for price, flight time and culture. It’s one of the cheapest winter sun options available and offers something completely different to a beach resort.

Where it loses points is temperature consistency – winter days are warm with highs of 21C, but evenings cool quickly.

That said, all-inclusive February deals at hotels like Marrakech Ryads Parc & Spa from £203pp explain why it just misses the top five but still remains a smart-value winter break.

5. Gran Canaria (Score: 54)

Gran Canaria is one of the most balanced destinations in the ranking.

It scores well across every category: dependable winter warmth with average highs of 21C, short flights, and a huge range of hotels competing on price.

It may not top any single metric, but it rarely lets anyone down.

February stays at hotels like Cala d’Or from around £200pp show why it’s such a safe and popular winter option.

4. Antalya, Turkey (Score: 57)

Antalya climbs the rankings thanks to exceptional value for money.

Winter temperatures remain comfortable with average highs of 19C, flights are short, and the quality of all-inclusive hotels for the price is hard to match anywhere else in Europe.

I found all-inclusive February breaks at five-star resorts like Side Moon Palace from £145pp – which is exactly why Antalya scores so high.

3. Hurghada, Egypt (Score: 62)

Hurghada stands out for reliable winter heat and strong hotel pricing.

With temperatures regularly reaching average highs of 25C and the mid-haul flight times still manageable, it offers a warmer alternative to Europe without the cost of long-haul.

February all-inclusive stays at resorts like Sunny Days Mirette Aqua Park from £315pp make it warmer than Turkey, but still cheaper than most Caribbean options.

2. Cape Verde (Score: 66)

Cape Verde is the highest-ranked long-haul destination and well deserving of its place at number two.

It scores highly for hot winter temperatures with average highs of 25C, lower popularity and decent value, sitting neatly between short-haul Europe and the Caribbean.

February breaks at hotels like Dunas De Sal Design Hotel from £443pp highlight why it’s growing in popularity in recent years though – proper heat, big beaches and prices that still feel VERY reasonable.

1. Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (Score: 72)

Sharm El Sheikh comes out comfortably on top.

It scores high across every part of the formula: excellent winter heat with highs of 24C, strong hotel availability, competitive pricing and relatively short flight times.

February all-inclusive deals at resorts like Parrotel Aqua Park Resort from £223pp are exactly why Sharm dominates winter bookings.

Warm, easy and outstanding value – it’s the rare destination that gets everything right at once, and officially the best winter sun destination for your money in 2026.

Analysis based on On the Beach booking data and February 2026 package pricing.

If you’re planning on a swim at one of France’s over 6,000 public pools this year, travel expert Simon Hood has a warning for you and advice about what to pack

A travel expert has warned holidaymakers to think twice before dipping in France.

If you’re planning on a swim at one of France’s over 6,000 public pools this year, travel expert Simon Hood has a warning for you. Our French cousins to the south are traditionally known for their superior wines, fashion, and romantic charm. So much in fact that over 9-13 million Brits are estimated to visit the country’s beloved cities like Paris, and the glamorous Riviera each year.

However, while the European Union’s second-largest economy remains the envy of many, one little-known health regulation could upend many British holidays in the country this year. Simon, who is the executive director of John Mason International, says the rule is something to adhere to, or risk seeing you denied the ability to swim on your break.

Thought to date back to 1903, most public pools in France’s network of over 6,000 pools and open-air basins enforce a strict hygiene-based regulation on men’s swimwear.

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Upheld by many levels of French local authorities règlement intérieur, or internal regulations, men must wear ‘tight-fitting swimwear’ like Speedos at public pools. Enforced by local municipalities or the ARS (French regional health authorities), disregarding the rule could see you packing from the local swimming pool.

So, while Speedos may certainly be out of fashion abroad, they’re integral for men’s attire in public pools in almost all major cities like Paris, Lyon, and Marseille.

Simon explained: “It may seem odd but failure to comply with these hygiene regulations could see you marched out of the pool and leave you waving at your family or friends from the outside. While most pools will offer appropriate swimwear onsite, it could set you back somewhere between €10-€20, a bit of an unnecessary spend, so before I’d recommend checking whether you need more appropriate swimwear or not.”

Some may think this law to be outdated and not enforced by French public pool staff and authorities, but Simon explains it comes from a very well-intended place.

“When you bottle it down, the rule stems from a concern about hygiene in the pools. It was originally enforced as culturally French people tend to walk around in swimwear well before they attend the pool in the summer months. Thinking about this, it means people could track all manner of dirt in once they jump into the pool hours later. We don’t wander around outside in our trunks in the UK, which is why it may seem odd, but local authorities are just trying to keep the pool clean.”

Eurocamp, a large holiday park chain with a number of sites in France, warns on its website: “If you’re headed for the beach, don’t worry: you can wear what you like. But it’s true that many swimming pools prohibit the majority of baggy or loose-fitting shorts. Why? Simply because of hygiene concerns.

“Of course, rules can – and do – vary from parc to parc. If in any doubt just ask. We’re only too happy to help and save you from any poolside blushes!”

The website adds information for those concerned by the policy. “Wearing tighter swimwear wastes less water. Their material usually dries quicker, staving off any potential buildup of bacteria,” Eurocamp’s blurb continues.

“But don’t panic: if you’re not keen on slipping on a pair of conventional Speedos, you can still opt for swimming shorts. Just make sure they’re more fitted, and above the knee, and opt for fabrics that are designed for the water. Have a look for a style called ‘jammers’ online, to get an idea of what’s usually allowed.”

There’s no sign these rules are due to be eased anytime soon. In May 2022, the French municipal authority in Grenoble attempted to wind down these restrictions, only to have the central government in Paris block any changes.

Simon added: “Like with any holiday, all I’d recommend is researching in advance since these rules exist for a reason. If Speedos aren’t your thing, either don’t swim or use a pool where these regulations don’t apply. At the end of the day, Speedos might be out of style, but missing out on a day at the pool due to your fashion choices could be worse.”