Spa News in France

The beneficial effects of massages and detoxifying herbal teas, the subtle scent of essential oils, soothing background music, light but delicious cuisine – treat yourself to a well-deserved break in one of France’s luxury hotel spas!

Here's a quick overview of our seaside palace hotels …

BIARRITZ

Hôtel du PalaisAn imperial spa facing the Atlantic

The Hôtel du Palais was built overlooking the beach in 1855 by Napoleon III for his wife Eugénie, who had come to swim in the sea at Biarritz since childhood. The Empress started the trend for active, fashionable sea bathing and extolled the health benefits of water. The Spa Impérial at the Hôtel du Palais continues this delightful trend in an environment full of natural light which offers delightful views of the ocean.

In 1853, Guerlain created the Abeille bottle in order to offer Imperial Water to the Empress, marking the beginning of a loyal and long-standing relationship with the Hôtel du Palais, which continues today with products exclusive to the hotel, some of which are perfumed with the extremely rare orchid.

The experts at the Institut du Cheveu Leonor Greyl offer a full range of hairdressing services which are guaranteed to revitalise your scalp and hair.

For men: make sure you try the authentic barber experience.

Don’t miss: your favourite Guerlain perfume, presented in an Abeille bottle which is personalised with your initials. Truly iconic!

www.hotel-du-palais.com (External link)

SAINT-JEAN CAP-FERRAT

Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat Harmony and equilibrium, where the sea meets the sky

At the end of Cap-Ferrat peninsula, overlooking the Mediterranean, the legendary Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat is a truly idyllic place to stay. Surrounded by lush gardens, this pure white structure built in 1908 oozes equilibrium and a sense of well-being.

The hotel’s 750m² spa includes an indoor pool and five superbly equipped treatment rooms. The staff, a team of experts who have been here since the spa opened in 2009, offer ultra-personalised treatments with a real focus on detail. The “Sublime des Lagons” signature treatment by Carita relaxes the face, hair and body in a single health-giving and relaxing experience. The Bellefontaine skin-care brand, not used anywhere else on the French Riviera, has developed expertise in anti-ageing treatments such as their signature treatment which uses an innovative facial massage treatment to give the skin a radiant glow.

For men: “For Men – smooth and lift” facial ritual.

Don’t miss: outdoor massage and treatments in the spa’s private garden with superb, calming views of the sea (reservation required).

www.grand-hotel-cap-ferrat.com (External link)

SAINT-TROPEZ

Hôtel ByblosTreatments endowed with the essence of Provence

Designed in homage to Brigitte Bardot, St Tropez’s iconic celebrity, the Hôtel Byblos is a legendary palace hotel built to the design of a Mediterranean village, with small houses painted in bright, sunny colors.

The Spa Byblos by Sisley offers a range of superb treatments for men and women. Don’t miss the duo massages which can be enjoyed in the 17C Lebanese room with its carved wood coffered ceilings and Carrara marble mosaics. Whether you choose the “Autour de l’Olivier”, the exfoliating “Vapeur de Provence” or the relaxing “A la fleur de Tilleul” ritual, Sisley offers a range of rare phyto-aromatic treatments inspired by the region.

For men: full Sisleÿum facial (1hr 30min).

Don’t miss: exclusive use of the suite decorated with Jerusalem stone and mashrabiyas for VIP couples, with a 3hr duo treatment, plus use of the steam room and baths.

www.byblos.com (External link)

Château de la Messardière – Peace and well-being in an authentic château

Surrounded by a 10ha park planted with the typical Mediterranean shrubs of the garrigue, the Château de la Messardière offers stunning views of Saint-Tropez bay, the vineyards of Ramatuelle, and the Mediterranean.

The hotel’s spa and relaxation centre is housed in a luxurious building covering an area of 465m². The spa overlooks the Italian garden, where fresh mint is picked every morning for the spa’s herbal teas, andwild honey is collected. Sunlight pours into the building from the garden, increasing the health-giving effects of the treatments.

There’s something for everyone here: enjoy the soothing effects of Cinq Mondes products which encourage relaxation and letting go, as well as the active elements of Valmont, made from glacial water, which encourage essential hydration and regeneration through a range of manual treatments.

For men: the Valmont “Vitalité des Glaciers” facial.

Don’t miss: the natural therapist offering Thai “Chi Nei Tsang” massages which eliminate tensions by focusing entirely on the stomach (duration: 50min)

www.messardiere.com (External link)

RAMATUELLE

La Réserve Ramatuelle – Unwinding and relaxing in nature

Situated up in the hills, the aptly named Réserve Ramatuelle offers an ultra-exclusive, designer-style refuge which is ideal for recharging the batteries thanks to its proximity to the sea and its surrounding natural landscapes.

The “Nescens Better-Aging” experience is one of the hotel spa’s exclusive treatments: after a medical check with a doctor, a range of treatments, physical activities with a personal coach and tailor-made menus are designed exclusively for you. The spa also offers a “Boot Camp” – a hiking programme accompanied by a guide, which takes you on 10-20km walks and includes swimming in the sea in order to revitalize and re-energise the body. Ideal for men.

Don’t miss: the private vegetable plot, herb garden and orchard belonging to the Réserve Ramatuelle, which can be visited by guests and where fruit can be picked and eaten directly from the trees.

www.lareserve-ramatuelle.com (External link)

cap-ferret