Not so much ... "it has anything to do with respect or lack of respect for local laws".....as respect for local customs. The Dutch side is/was much more "conservative" than the French. I think of it as someone walking down the main street of their hometown in a bikini. Is it illegal? Probably not, but I'd bet it is not culturally accepted.
I have no law degree, but my personal opinion is that one must be respectful of the local culture. We are, after all, guests.