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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
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Marie Le Conte

When I’m on the beach, leave me and my body alone, s’il vous plaît

Pointe Rouge beach in Marseille, France.
Marseille’s Pointe Rouge beach, one of the areas covered by the app. Photograph: Clement Mahoudeau/AFP/Getty Images

How often do you think about the fact that you have a body? This isn’t a grand philosophical question, even though it may sound like one. I realised some years ago that I am more aware of my status as the owner of flesh and bones when I am in France.

Because I grew up there, I didn’t notice it straight away. It took moving to Britain and occasionally returning home to have this epiphany about my corporeal state. Again, I am not seeking to make some deep metaphysical statement here. It’s just that when you’re in France and you’re a woman, some men like to remind you of the fact.

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