The big bath. Or how to (un)dress well in the sun

Labeled Cultural Olympiad Paris 2024

As part of the Cultural Olympiad programming.

Very present in the collections of Château Borély, seaside fashion echoes the Olympic Games and the sailing competitions which will take place in the harbor of Marseille, through a selection of swimsuits for men, women and children, outfits beach and sportswear, accessories and photographs from the post-war period to the present day.

Long elitist, the sea, as a leisure activity, became democratized with the increase in communication routes, the establishment of paid leave in 1936 and the development of water sports. Today it attracts millions of bathers who come to sacrifice to the rite of the beach, the scene of the latest “beachwear” trends.

From the unisex and functional leotards of the 30s and 40s to the sometimes offbeat “couture” creations of contemporary stylists, the Le grand bain exhibition allows us to follow the evolution of morals and tastes of society through the history of the swimsuit – or how to (un)dress well in the sun!