The French use stripes extensively in their decor and fashion, and this last summer, during my fourth trip to France, I was on the hunt for striped beach tents that I had seen in a vintage photo some time back. After spending a few days on the Normandy coast, searching without much success, I finally tracked these down at Trouville beach.

Beach Umbrellas #1, Trouville, France. 2010 © John Queenan

Beach Umbrellas #3, Trouville, France. 2010 © John Queenan

The striped tents certainly give the beach a nostalgic air. The original beach tents first appeared a long time ago, when the the fashion for bathing in the sea started at the beginning of the 19th Century.

This was the time of the first sea water therapies and tents were used by the patients for undressing and to rest in after invigorating swims in the sea. The tent remains the focal point for families, a beach accessory, which adds a certain charm to the beach at  Trouville.

The Beach, Trouville, France. 2010 © John Queenan

There are more images from Trouville on my website, wwwjohnqueenan.com.