Sauna in Switzerland: in swimsuits for the French-speaking Swiss, naked for the German-speaking Swiss

Study reveals strong cultural differences between the country's linguistic regions

Should you sweat naked or in a swimsuit? In Switzerland, the question is a divisive one. According to a representative study conducted by the gfs.bern institute for the Fortyseven spa resort in Baden, sauna habits differ markedly between French-speaking and German-speaking people.

The "Röstigraben" of well-being

The numbers speak for themselves: 60% of German-speaking Swiss prefer to be naked in the sauna, while in French-speaking Switzerland, only 13% share this approach. On the contrary, more than half of French-speaking Swiss say they feel more comfortable in a swimsuit or wrapped in a towel.

So, while saunas without swimsuits are the norm in Zurich, Lucerne or St. Gallen, this practice remains taboo in Geneva, Lausanne or Neuchâtel.

Nudity, a cultural barrier

Nationally, more than one in two Swiss people say they are uncomfortable with the nudity of strangers. But this discomfort is much less pronounced in the German-speaking part of the country, where nudity is perceived as a natural and authentic part of the spa experience.

In French-speaking Switzerland, on the other hand, the emphasis is placed on intimacy and discretion, reflecting a more modest conception of well-being.

Two visions of well-being

German-speaking Switzerland cultivates a true spa and sauna culture: thermal baths, hammams and relaxation areas are popular places to unwind, particularly among young urban couples under 40.

In French-speaking Switzerland, well-being takes on a different form: aesthetics, design, and ambiance take precedence over simple sweating. French-speaking Swiss residents seek a complete sensory experience—fragrant scents, soft lighting, massages, and elegant architecture—where the setting is as important as the warmth.

The Finnish model, between simplicity and authenticity

In Finland, sauna bathing is a collective and natural ritual, practiced without artifice. Sauna builder Marko Tattari points out that there, nudity is not an issue: people go to the sauna with family or friends, often separately by gender.

The sessions don't follow any strict time limits: "If you feel hot or dizzy, leave. Otherwise, stay as long as you feel comfortable," he explains.

And there's no question of extravagant infusions or crowded saunas with exotic scents: in Finland, silence and simplicity dominate.

🧖‍♀️ In summary

In Switzerland, the sauna reveals an unexpected cultural divide: while German-speaking people seek authenticity and natural nudity, French-speaking people favor elegance and modesty. Two approaches to well-being, two ways of sweating... Swiss style.