FALL 2008
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At Rest
Pg 61 - Healing from the Sea
True relaxation comes in the form of thalassotherapy for this spa-goer.
There is a soft, almost cocoon-like quality to French hydrotherapy spas. Maybe it is because we all started our lives floating in warm water, or that our bodies are mostly water, but the spa experience there is healing, comforting, and renewing. The treatments, called soins, which translates as "care," all use natural and vibrant sea or spring water. They are designed to make you feel bien dans ta peau, or " good in your skin." It's all about pleasure and relaxation. Even the soft murmur of French in the background helps you to let go.
I first discovered the sensuous world of these spas in 1994, on a trip with my 19-year-old daughter Heather. We both arrived stressed out-mine from work and Heather's from college finals. We slipped into the nurturing space of the French spas as easily as we slipped into the bubbling warm water. We spent idyllic days padding around in thick terry-cloth robes and rubber slippers being soignée, or cared for by the attentive staff. We were painted with warm algae and wrapped up to rest. Or massaged while warm seawater showered down on us. Or settled into a bain hydromassant, bubbling baths with algae or essential oils and jets that massaged us from head to toe. The natural and vibrant water was full of life force and minerals. We got over our jet lag. We got rid of toxins; we filled up with energy and well being. I felt better than I had in years. Heather's comment? "This is sooo cool mom." I agreed.
Since those days, I have returned many times to the French spas. I always feel a renewed joie de vivre after my stays. For Americans, they're an undiscovered treasure. Their spa treatments were originally designed as medical "cures" to help heal physical problems. The fresh water, full of vital minerals, cleanses and replenishes the body. This, combined with rest and fresh air, also calms the mind, and renews the spirit. Thalasso is the Greek word for "sea." The salt air and seawater along the Atlantic and the Mediterranean coastlines, full of negative ions, are the foundation of the thalassotherapy spas. Inland, the spas are situated near natural springs. There's a feeling of elegance and luxury, and guests are encouraged to rest, to be outside in the fresh air, and to prenez votre temps-"take your time."
The most benefits come from spending at least four or five days. The soins take about two to two-and-half hours for four soins, scheduled close together, morning or afternoon. Then you have the rest of the day off, to rest or sightsee. For visits of more than two days, you will have a medical consultation to discuss your health and the goals for your stay. Programs such as anti-stress, anti-aging, well-being, beauty, or slimming are some of the choices offered.
Many spas allow you to visit for the day and choose soins "a la carte," but staying for a longer period, allows you to slow down and enjoy France's art de vivre, its "art of living." I always feel a renewed sense of health and well being that lasts for months after I get home.
Here are spas in four distinct regions: north, The Normandy coast; west, the Cote D'Amour of La Baule; south, Aix-en-Provence; and east, Antibes, on the Riviera.
La Baule: Thalgo La Baule Thalassotherapy Center
The area is called the "Cote D'Amour" and has the longest and most beautiful beach in France, 9 kilometers of fine, white sand. Situated where the Loire River meets the Atlantic, just three hours by TGV from Paris. The Hotel Royal Thalasso, a four-star hotel adjacent to the spa, has an indoor saltwater pool, hammam, sauna, Jacuzzi, exercise room, and outdoor pool in summer. It offers excellent packages including rooms, two meals and four soins per day. Sample Cost: Hotel, two meals and four soins per day for a week's package at Hotel Royal Thalasso, starts at $300 per day. Check online for current rates. Hotel Royal Thalasso and spa: www.lucienbarriere.com; La Baule: www.labaule.fr
Aix-en-Provence: Thermes Sextius Spa
The Romans founded the town of Aix-en-Provence over 2,000 years ago because of the abundance of springs and the healing qualities of the water. The Spa Thermes Sextius is built on the site of the original Roman baths. You can see the crumbling walls of the ancient buildings and the spring, which comes up from a depth of 80 meters at a temperature of 97 degrees, through a glass floor in the entry. The pure water is full of calcium, magnesium, lithium, and other minerals, said to be helpful in relieving stress, fatigue, and even cellulite. When you purchase a group of soins, called a forfait you are also entitled to use the pool, Jacuzzi, steam, sauna, and exercise room for the day. This spa is so popular with the locals that they get booked up. So be sure to make reservations in advance. Spa: www.thermes-sextius.com; Aix-en-Provence: www.aixenprovencetourism.com
Ouistreham: Riva Bella Thalazur Spa and Hotel
On the Normandy coast of the Altantic, this spa has wide beaches for walking, fresh salt air and, like La Baule, uses the vibrant water of the Atlantic. The quiet atmosphere invites you to slow down and relax. The spa has a huge saltwater pool available for soaking and relaxing when you're not having soins. There's also an exercise room and sunroom, Jacuzzi, sauna and hammam. Hotel Riva Bella is adjacent to the spa, making it easy to go back and forth in your thick terry-cloth robe and slippers. Packages of hotel, meals and spa treatments are available and their restaurant specializes in the fresh seafood of the region. It's a two-hour train ride from Paris, then a short taxi ride to the spa. Hotel and Spa: Thalazur Ouistreham at Hotel Riva Bella: www.thalazur.fr; Normandy region: www.normandie-tourisme.fr
Antibes: Thalazur Spa
If the Cote D'Azur is your favorite area in France, then the Thalazur spa in Antibes is for you. Set in the heart of the French Riviera, this elegant spa offers a huge outdoor pool to take advantage of the sunny weather. Soak in the warm seawater pool or relax in the sun, as you look out over the Mediterranean. The spa offers all of the thalassotherapy soins plus Jacuzzi, hammam, sauna and workout room. Soins are also available a la carte or by the day.
The charming village of Antibes and nearby Nice offer sightseeing and fun when you're not being pampered. Be sure to visit the Picasso museum in Antibes and the wonderful market days in the old part of town. Fly into Nice or take the train. TGV to Marseilles, then transfer for Nice. Hotel and spa: www.thalazur.fr; Antibes region: www.antibes-juanlespins.com
-Diane M. Covington
Soins Speak
Each spa has designated English speakers who can help you. My favorite soins: Bain Hydromassant-bubbling bath with jets and essential oils or algae; Application de Boue or Algues-mud or algae wrap; and Massage Sous Affusion, also called massage/modelage-massage with warm water showers.Due to the cleansing effects of the soins, be sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after.
Sea Soaks
People have been drawn to the sea for its curative powers since time began. Today, one can experience the ancient art of seawater therapy, called "thalassotherapy," at many spas both here and abroad (in addition to France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, and Italy, are popular thalassotherapy destinations). During these treatments, various forms of seawater and seaweed are used in hydrotherapy massages, body scrubs, and body wraps. "Known for its nutritional and therapeutic properties, seaweed is one of the richest existing forms of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, and exist in much higher concentration than seawater," explains Gisele Brouillaud, a seaweed expert and president of Les Laboratoires Euroderm. "The quality of the seaweed depends on its origin, its marine environment, harvesting time, and the way in which it is processed, among other things."
You can treat yourself to the relaxing and rejuvenating benefits of thalassotherapy by trying an at-home bath. There are many products to choose from, so how does one distinguish the good from the bad? "A good seaweed has a high-tide smell," says Brouillaud. "A poor quality product has a low-tide smell. Many people have had seaweed body wraps, and very few have had the opportunity to smell the seaweed." She explains that oftentimes, there isn't a seaweed scent because the product contains a very small amount of the seaweed and a lot of "cheap clay and a lot of fragrance."
If you'd like to try an at-home regimen, Kerstin Florian, a spa expert and founder of the eponymous line of spa products, which includes the Thalassotherapy Seaweed Bath made from freshly harvested algae off the Brittany coast, suggests setting aside 10 days (one "kur" period), three to four times a year, typically when the seasons change:
- Pour a packet of Seaweed Bath crystals into warm water (95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit), when first drawing the bath.
- Soak for 15 minutes. Do not rinse off.
- For ultimate benefits, repeat this for 10 days.
- Follow with a marine-based body cream.
Seaweed contains an extremely high content of antioxidants. While there are over 20,000 different types of seaweed, fucus in particular, helps oxygenate and promote cell rejuvenation and is an excellent moisturizing agent. Laminaria, another popular variety, helps to control sebum and stimulate circulation. Both of these are found in Seaflora's line of Wild Organic Seaweed Skincare, a line that's hand-harvested from the Canadian Pacific Ocean. A nice product for the warmer months, Foaming Fucus Cleansing Concentrate is ideal for those with oily and/or sensitive skin, while the Rich Laminaria Facial Moisturizer, made with 70 percent whole, raw, and wild seaweeds, is a natural choice for those with dry, aging, or sensitive skin. We're also partial to the Detoxifying Fucus Body Wash.
-Margaret Coventry
How to purchase these products: 888-537-7846, or www.kerstinflorian.com, and 877-713-7464, or www.sea-flora.com.