How can we break free from society’s rules? How can we express who we really are? These questions have long been central to my work.

This is an exploration of mermaiding in France and Europe. Mermaiding is the practice of swimming with a mermaid tail. Women and men take the risk of being different, inviting us into a magical world. Through their passion, they show who they really are.

Mermaiding started in the United States about a hundred years ago. Australian Annette Kellerman is seen as the first modern mermaid, around 1920. The practice arrived in France in the 2010s and became more popular thanks to Claire Baudet, known as the first professional mermaid in France. The movement really started growing around 2015, helped by social media and the creation of several contests: Miss Mermaid in 2017, Mister Triton France in 2019, and Miss Naïade in 2021. Around the same time, Claire Baudet—who regularly performs at the Paris Aquarium—was joined by two other mermaids, and then by Gabriel in February 2024, the first male triton.

So what does this activity involve? To swim like a mermaid, you need to learn how to move with a monofin, control your breathing, practice dynamic apnea, open your eyes underwater, make bubbles, and perform certain moves.

This activity brings together different aspects: it’s physical, with freediving and monofin swimming; artistic, with costumes and performances; therapeutic, as the water has benefits especially for people with disabilities who experience their bodies differently—through movement, relaxation, and sensation. It’s also educational, offering another way to approach sport, and for some, it’s even ecological, helping raise awareness about protecting the ocean and marine life.
Because of all these dimensions, mermaiding attracts people of all ages and backgrounds. It creates a kind, welcoming community. For many, the mermaid also represents deeper meanings—like femininity, non-binary identity, or transformation.