Whether you’re seeking a holistic health overhaul, a quick detox or just keen to pick up new health habits, you’ll find the answer to your wellness goals nestled within France’s beautifully diverse landscapes.
Thanks to the French penchant for indulging in the finest food and wine, the country has become the poster child for the finer things in life. So, you may be surprised to discover it’s also one of the world’s best wellness destinations. From sprawling wellness centres surrounded by lyrical landscapes and bespoke retreats tucked into quaint farms to glitzy sanctuaries in Riviera spas, there are so many ways to better health and wellbeing in France, and some kind served with a side of pampering.
Hôtel Lily of the Valley
A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Hôtel Lily of the Valley is a luxury hotel dedicated to wellness, weight loss, sport and self-improvement. Minutes from Saint-Tropez on the Cap Lardier estate – the green lungs of the French Riviera – the star of Hôtel Lily of the Valley’s wellness show is its 2,000-square-metre wellness centre. With state-of-the-art facilities and a wellness-inspired restaurant offering vegan and vegetarian options, the hotel’s wellness experiences run the gamut from intensive detox programs to immersive sport and yoga retreats.
Sofitel Quiberon Thalassa
Cool, contemporary and oh so chic, the Sofitel Quiberon Thalassa overlooks the spectacular Brittany coastline. Despite the mesmerising view, it is wellness that is the focus of a stay here. The state-of-the-art Thalassotherapy Institutes forms the heart of the resort with its dedicated sea water treatment facilities and 400-square-metre marine course assisting guests with stress, fatigue, insomnia and joint and muscle pain.
La Réserve Ramatuelle
A serene sanctuary just minutes from the glitz and glam of Saint-Tropez, La Réserve Ramatuelle is a luxury retreat that pays homage to the decorative style and flair of 1950s Côte d’Azur and overlooks one of the prettiest bays on the French Riviera. But this is no ordinary luxury resort. La Réserve Spa Ramatuelle offers scientifically backed three- to six-day programs led by a team of experts, combining spa treatments and exercise tailored to your health and wellness needs, served with a side of guilt-free Michelin-starred Mediterranean cuisine.
Hôtel Royal Evian
A Belle Epoque beauty Hotel Royal overlooking Lake Geneva from the hills above Evian-les-Bains in the heart of the French Alps, Hôtel Royal Evian is a five-star resort spread over 19 hectares of forested grounds. With an extensive choice of programmes designed to tone, regenerate and relax body and mind, their thermal spa is legendary. The therapeutic benefits of Evian water, recognised by the National Academy of Medicine is the basis of their medical spa programs and water-based treatments while the outdoor hydro circuit allows you to soak up the healing power while the jets do their thing.
Praana Wellness
This special place in petit château amongst the vines in Cognac offers calming and compassionate retreats for women. Grounded in ayurvedic healthcare, Praana Wellness
Offers massage, yoga and meditation classes, retreats focused on managing menopause and counselling therapies based on care, empathy and non-judgment. Through compassionate care in peaceful, luxurious surrounds, Praana Wellness offers women the tools, practices and perspectives for modern self-care.
Domaine des Etangs
Nestled in the Cognac countryside Domaine des Etangs is housed in a fairytale chateau dating back to the 13th century surrounded by gardens, lakes and meadows. The retreat’s raison d’être is surrendering to nature, dictated by the seasons, whether in its wellness space, vegetable garden, on boat rides on the ponds, exploring various fitness trails or immersed in thermal baths inspired by Chassenon Gallo-Roman baths and treatments.
Puissentut
Designed for sanctuary, this extraordinary 14th century chateau nestled amongst fields of sunflowers in the Gascony region of South West France, provides a healing haven for people with or recovering from cancer and chronic illness. With just ten ensuite rooms, Puissentut’s nurturing retreats combine daily yoga and meditation, complementary therapy treatments and detoxifying meals.
Little French Retreat
Offering authentic, intimate retreat experiences for small groups in South West France. Little French Retreat is a holistic retreat dedicated to cleansing, renewal and nourishing from within. Harnessing the power of Ayurveda and Yoga daily to support physical and mental wellbeing, the retreats, which are limited to just four people at a time, use simple practices to balance the nervous system, develop core strength and stamina and cleanse and de-clutter mind and spirit.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only, and does not constitute health or medical advice. If you have any concerns regarding your mental or physical health, seek immediate medical attention.
