URBAN GUIDE

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

It all starts with your feet! That’s where an overall feeling of well-being begins. At Spa Métropole by Givenchy in Monaco, pedicurist to the stars Bastien Gonzalez has created a luxurious treatment session aptly named “Wings on Your Feet”, a moment of pleasure that will last well beyond delivery. The Kube Hôtel Saint-Tropez spa offers advanced skincare expertise with the Ella Baché Diagnostic de Peau. An expert session during which the Skintex®Diag (a type of scanner) evaluates the skin’s nutritional needs on a case-by-case basis (face and body) to best respond to them with tailored treatment. Spa Eden-Roc by La Prairie has created the Pure Gold Baume Radiance Nocturne evening ceremony – a series of facial massage movements performed with a unique stone that refreshes, drains, and stimulates, relaxing muscles and relieving tension. And for a moment of total indulgence, Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez offers a Lunch & Spa package. The brainchild of Dr Olivier Courtin-Clarins and the hotel’s chef Damien Cruchet, the Well-Being menu at Les Toits rooftop restaurant can precede or follow a massage at the Clarins Spa.

A SPORTS PROGRAMME BUT NOT ONLY THAT

Do you want to regain your vitality and improve your overall well-being? The spa at Domaine du Mas de Pierre Relais & Châteaux offers a combination of toning and caring treatments with sports sessions over several days to a schedule tailored to your needs after consultation. The Body Boost cure includes a healthy lunch or dinner at the Bistrot Lis Orto or gastronomic restaurant La Table de Pierre and coached sports activities in the garden or spa pool, alternated with deep massage and toning wraps. Just like the hotel complex conceived and designed by Philippe Starck, Lily of the Valley creates luxurious cures at its Shape Club: a fabulous 2,000 m2 space in which losing weight, keeping fit through sport, nutrition, and treatments work together. Nutritionist Jacques Fricker put in place these balanced programmes to lead guests to so-called “TGV” results: fast, long-lasting, and associated with pleasure. Le Tigre Yoga Club at the Hôtel La Ponche in Saint-Tropez offering yoga and Pilates classes, outdoors on the pontoon facing the sea, is another place to stay in shape. Enjoy a morning class (8 am to 9 am) followed by a signature Intuitu Personae massage: a personalised deep oil massage, mixing protocols, from Ayurvedic to Lomi Lomi, Yogic and Californian, awakens the energy in everyone and makes fatigue disappear.

ACTIVITIES TO HELP YOU LET GO

In this vein, Spa Diane Barrière - Le Majestic Cannes has announced its Signature Treatment: using stretching and effleurage, massage, and pressure, inspired by energetic and neuromuscular techniques, to restore total well-being to mind and body. Following the same approach, the Cheval Blanc Spa in Saint-Tropez has created the “Signé Riviera” by Guerlain relaxing massage, exclusive to the peninsula, in which the techniques applied to the whole body and skin brushing help you to relax.
Cap d’Antibes Beach Hôtel Relais & Châteaux focuses on private Asian-inspired sessions in the open air – in the Mediterranean garden or sensory pool overlooking the sea. Yin Yoga (therapeutic), QI Qong and Janzu, where deep relaxation (physical and mental) results from controlled breathing and postural body alignment. The experience is tempting! Another spot is Le Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat, which, taking full advantage of its iodised location, has launched a similar holistic programme based on mindfulness-based relaxation linked to outdoor and water activities. The aim is to disconnect!

By Laurence Jacquet