From the creation of Socnat to Tohapi Naturist Camping Parks
Our history
Albert Lecocq was born on 13 August 1905 in Arras and was a great advocate of open air physical activities and nudism. He was aware of the advantages and therapeutic values of nude sunbathing and wished to share this experience with as many people as possible.
Albert Lecocq was certainly one of the first to sense the need to organise naturist holidays for everyone. He was a visionary and correctly predicted that naturism would be a resounding success.
After looking at numerous sites in different French regions, Albert Lecocq and a few companions chose Montalivet-les-Bains in Gironde and the Médoc region. Here the town hall agreed to rent a 23 hectare site to them with direct access to the ocean. On 23 July 1950,they created the Centre Hélio Marin, the first naturist holiday village to be set up in Europe.
After managing it for four years as an association, Albert Lecocq quickly realised the limits of this type of management and in 1954 created the company Socnat with the purpose of managing the operation of naturist holiday centres.
The Socnat offering was to develop with the set-up of a second naturist campsite, Le Domaine de La Genèse situated in Méjannes-le-Clap in the Gard department. A recent addition to the group has been the acquisition of the naturist campsite Le Clapotis at La Palme in the Aude department.
Having come a long way from the limited facilities of those early days, our naturist campsites today offer adapted infrastructure such as :
- heated swimming pools
- water parks
- varied shops
- quality rental accommodation
- wellbeing areas
- sanitation blocks with solar powered hot water
- Wi-Fi, etc.
Our aim is above all to provide holidaymakers at our sites with different naturist lifestyles, different complex sizes and different atmospheres where everyone can relax and feel physically fulfilled in a protected natural area.
Partner sites for more choice!
Because we are all different, we do not experience our naturist holidays in the same way. Our expectations are not the same and depend on our age, tastes, temperament and family situation. So we have decided to provide you with greater choice, and to extend the offering of our naturist campsites with scrupulously selected partner destinations that match the naturist values which we uphold.
For example, you can stay in our mobile homes at Les Aillos campsite in Caraman in the Haute-Garonne department close to Toulouse, and at the Petit Arlane campsite at Valensole in the Alpes de Haute Provence department.
The holidays we offer are naturist holidays that reflect your personality!
Our 10 commitments
1. A choice for all tastes
We offer 5 naturist destinations with different atmospheres. You have the choice of a large campsite with more than 3000 pitches ora smaller campsite with just 100. You can choose a quiet or lively atmosphere and your favourite region.
2. Exceptional naturist sites
By the Atlantic Oceanin a forest of maritime pines, beside a river surrounded by lush vegetation ornear a natural lake amidst vines, cypress and almond trees... All our naturist campsites offerexceptional environments where nature is protected and where the expression "to be at one with nature" takes on its full meaning.
3. A warm welcome
From the time of your booking until your arrival on one of our naturist campsites, we do everything to ensure your stay is a success. Our booking team and advisersare available to guideyou in your choices with regard to our destinations and to help you choose the best pitch or accommodation. On site our teams will continue to extend a warm welcome to you and will endeavour to satisfy your slightest request.
4. Supporting newcomers
Staying for the first time in a naturist village is not always easy. You are not always aware of the codes and customs.But rest assured, we offer personalised support allowing you to enjoy yournaturist holidayswith peace of mind.
5. Enforcing naturist values
In the footsteps of the pioneers who created Camping Naturist Tohapi, we do everything to ensure that naturist values are respected in our holiday villages. The presence of ethics ambassadors who approach holidaymakers not complying with nudity requirements, the commitment you sign when you arrive on the campsite, and reminder signs areall indicators assuring you that we remain particularly vigilant about the possible ethical decline of our centres.
6. Environmentally responsible management
Because we are convinced that tourism which is more respectful of the environment and ecosystems is possible, each of our entities carries out activities throughout the year which aim to :
- protect nature with tree-replanting campaigns,
- encourage local production,
- encourage waste sorting,
- use water wisely,
- use organic maintenance products,
- set up solar lighting and indicator lights,
- raise the awareness of young and old with regard to “eco-citizen” activities.
Do not be surprised if during your stay you are invited to a beach-cleaning session, or if one of the shopkeepers asks you to come with a glass plate to carry your cooked meal back to your pitch so as to avoid using a plastic tub.
7. Safe holidays
It is because we live nude on naturist campsites that we are particularly vigilant when it comes to checking who is on site. Depending on the size of the campsite, teams or a person in charge look after your safety during the day and evening, checking passes and giving guidance as well as enforcing the rules. Trained and equipped to dispense first aid, these teams are able to provide assistance to any person who finds themselves in difficulty.
8. Promotional offers for low-cost holidays!
Make the most of our start-of-the-season promotional offers allowing you to save up to 25% on the price of your stay. These offers are guaranteed to be the best: we won’t make better offers, even at the last minute. Be smart and book early!
9. Welcoming small children
No need to weigh down your car with all your baby accessories. We will provide a baby’s cot and high-chair throughout your stay. Just mention it when you book.
10. Guaranteed peace of mind
Guaranteed peace of mind with cancellation and interruption of stay insurance valid from time of booking until end of stay.
Choosing Camping Naturist Tohapi means choosing successful naturist holidays!