WORLDS OF WELLNESS IN PARIS
Feeling stressed out? Moving to a new country can be a lot of work, from understanding the nuances of another language and adjusting to the culture to figuring out how to prepare dishes using unfamiliar ingredients. Several weeks of intense disorientation can indeed make one feel like taking a break from it all.
But you can go on that much-needed holiday without stepping too far from your adopted home. Sylvia Sabes explores some spas in Paris that blend exotic appeal with accents of luxury, and transport weary individuals to worlds of wellness and relaxation.
Les Cent Ciels
Modern day Ottoman harem in Paris
This dream location resembles a modern-day Ottoman harem, with a candle-lit stairway that leads into a terra cotta sanctum. The hostess guides you into a locker room adorned with an oriental carpet and wine-stained walls. Downstairs is a pool, a sauna and a tiled hammam, with wide warm seats and a fountain bathed in gentle light. Make sure to request for an argan-soaked massage before taking a blissful nap.
| Where45 Bis Avenue Edouard Vaillant, Boulogne Billancourt(M) Porte de St CloudTel: 01 46 20 07 01 contact@lescentciels.fr | When Women: Mon, Wed to Fri 10AM to 5PM, Tues 5 to11 PM, Sat 10AM to 9PM, Sun 10 AM to 8 PMMen and Women (mandatory bathing suits): Mon, Wed to Fri, 5 to 11PMWomen: Sundays 10AM to 8PM for womenMen and Women: 2nd and last Sun of each month |
How much From €40 for a simple hammam to €290 with massage, clay, facial and a meal |
Wissaï
Thai women clad in traditional embroidered silks welcome you into interiors filled with eastern scents, warm wood and gold tones. After slipping into loose, comfortable clothes – allowing movement – patrons will be stretched and pulled in every direction. The firm rhythmic pressure activates pressure points and relaxes tired muscles. Floral tea follows the treatment, prolonging the pleasure.
| Where 80 rue de Vaugirard, 6e(M) RennesTel: 01 42 22 00 70 |
When Mon to Sun, 11AM to 9PM | How muchMassages start at €40 for 30 min. |
After The Rain
The spa is actually Swiss, but the hotel is quite popular with the Spanish. When booking your treatment, it is advised to show up early to take advantage of their pool and hammam. Zen design – dark greys with splashes of red – marks the underground cellars, setting the stage for relaxation. After a few laps and a session in the hammam, a facial treatment will make you feel as docile as a kitten, sipping flavored water and tea while nibbling on snacks such as fresh fruit and candied orange rind.
| Where Saint James Albany Paris Hôtel Spa202 rue de Rivoli, 1e(M) ConcordTel: 01 44 58 43 77 reception@aftertherain.fr |
When Mon to Thurs, 9AM to 9 PMFri to Sat 9 AM to 10 PMSun 10 AM to 8 PM | How much€100 for a 45 minute massage to €760 for a 6 hour mini spa, access to the pool and hammam included |
Spa L’Occitane
A spa with a feel of the French countryside
With its pale wooden stairs lined with dried flowers, L’Occitane, situated in the chic Saint Germain neighborhood, makes you feel like you’re in the French countryside. The treatment rooms are decorated in the same sophisticated country tones. Their new Massage Décontraction Bien Être, created in partnership with a physical therapist, is a combination of intense breathing exercises and body positions.
| Where 42 rue de Sevres, 6e(M) Sevres BabyloneTel: 01 42 22 88 62 reception@aftertherain.fr |
When Mon, Wed 11AM to 7PMTues 1 to 7 PMThurs 10 AM to 8 PMFri to Sat 10 AM to 7:30 PM |
How much Treatments starting at €68, massages €95 |
Dior Institut
An elegant spa for a day of pure pampering
The Hotel Plaza Athénée is so chic that I felt like a princess as I walked past the courtyard garden to the elegant spa, a piece of paradise painted in iconic Dior grey. Gym facilities and a hammam can be used before treatment. The establishment specializes in making you look picture-perfect, and before you head out to face the world once again, spend some time in the large rest area for tea and healthy treats.
| Where Dior Institut, Hotel Plaza Athénée25 ave Montaigne, 8e(M) AlmaMarceauTel: 0153676535 institutDiorHPA@dorchestercollection.com |
When Mon to Sun, 9AM to 9 PM |
How much Antistress massage €170access to the hammam and fitness center included |
La Mosquée de Paris
The tea garden at the Mosquée de Paris is a Middle Eastern haven. Song birds dart from the trees, pastries grace mosaic tables, and subdued light envelops a beautiful hammam. There are coin-operated lockers, several steam rooms – each one sultrier than the next – and a dipping pool. Buckets for rinsing are on hand as well as a room where you can put your feet up while sipping mint tea.
| Where 39 rue Geoffrey Saint-Hilaire, 5e (M) Jussieu01 43 31 38 20contact@lamosqueedeparis.com |
WhenWomen: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 AM to 9 PM Friday 2 PM to 9 PM Men: Tuesday 2 PM to 9 PM, Sunday 10 AM to 9 PM |
How muchFrom €18 for a simple hammam to €63 with a massage and a meal. |
Essential vocabulary
Soins – treatment
Visage – face
Corps – body
Détente – relaxation
Amincissant – weight loss
Gommage – exfoliation
- WORLDS OF WELLNESS IN PARIS - October 8, 2014
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