A section of a public park in Paris, the Bois de Vincennes, has been set aside by officials as a clothing-optional zone.

The 7,300 square metre area, located in a clearing by the park’s bird reserve, will form the site of this temporary experiment.

Those taking advantage of the trial space must show "good behaviour", as exhibitionism and voyeurism are strictly prohibited.

The space will be open from 8am to 7.30pm every day until 15 October, with signs showing which areas are suitable for stripping off.

According to Penelope Komites, a deputy mayor in charge of the city’s parks, the nudist zone "is part of our open-minded vision for the use of Parisian public spaces."

A spokesperson from the French Embassy said: “Naturists and nudists are welcome all over our country! There are over 80 centres and 180 clubs throughout the country ready to welcome them, which makes France the country most visited by naturists (over 1.5 million every year) and the best-equipped to meet their needs.”

Local nudists have welcomed the trial. Julien Claude-Penegry, a member of the Paris Naturists Association, predicted that thousands of people could flock to the new zone.

He told French news agency AFP: "It's a true joy, it's one more freedom for naturists.

"It shows the city's broad-mindedness and will help change people's attitudes toward nudity, toward our values and our respect for nature."

Nudists can also swim naked in the Roger Le Gall public pool, at the Porte de Vincennes, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

The deputy mayor of Paris, Bruno Julliard, proposed the idea for the nudist space.

Before the municipal council vote, he said: "I'm for it and I believe the Mayor of Paris is too. So we're going to do it. "

Under French law, nudists face a €15,000 fine or the prospect of one year in prison for exposing all in areas where it is prohibited.

France is already home to plenty of nude beaches, as well as a number of resorts catering specifically for holidaying without clothing.

Outside of France, San Francisco's Baker Beach, Australia's Maslin Beach and Mallorca's Es Trenc all have clothing-optional areas.

The five-mile Wreck Beach in Vancouver is North America's largest nude beach.

Other European capitals such as Berlin, Barcelona and Munich also have designated nudist areas.