grinchlette

Anyone know of any SPAs in the Provence areas, preferably the non-hotel variety. I will arrive in Marseille in about a week, and then have 4-5 days to explorer, then a conference in Apt/Vaucluse department, ending with two days to do as I wish before returning to Colorado.
I just finished my esthetician licensure so am eager to try to Provencal SPA time.
Thanks!
Cheers~
dms

Therese

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "non hotel" variety when it comes to a spa. Do you mean a day spa? Or do you mean a spa that doesn't have an attached hotel?

French spas are generally divided into either thermal (taking advantage of hot springs) or seawater (called thalassotherapy, obviously located on the coast). Spas are much more common in France than they are in the U.S., and most people do an entire week's "cure" at a time (though most spas also offer weekend/short stay and single day options---individual a la carte services tend to be esthetic sorts of thing like manicures), so either stay at a hotel nearby or (much preferable IMO) in an attached hotel (so you can wear a bathrobe between the spa and your room). The spa management is generally separate from the hotel management, but they offer a package deal (generally including demi pension meals) that's often quite a good deal.

Treatments generally take half of each day (typically alternating mornings and afternoons) leaving you the rest of the day to sightsee or lie around as you'd like. Most treatments take about 30 minutes (or slightly less) and tend to be more about the water than massage (massage in France generally not a strong point, though that's changing a bit lately---you'll have some massage included in your "planning", but it likely won't be the best you've ever had). Water aerobics ("aquagym&quot also generally part of the program.

Most spas require that you either undergo a medical exam on site (for which you'll pay 20 to 30 euros) or submit a letter or certificate attesting to your good health.

Given your schedule you won't have time for an entire week, but could do a short stay either before or after your conference.

Will you have a car?

starrsville

Did you already post this question (using a different name)? There were several responses to that post.

grinchlette

I will pick up a car in Marseille, when I arrive. This is my first post on SPAs...where is the other one you reference?
Thanks!
dms

grinchlette

by non-hotel type, I just mean I'm looking for something unique and a-typical to the hum-drum hotel variety. I've given and received hundreds of treatments and am seeking the unusual.
Cheers~
dms

starrsville

Fodors is falling behind in cataloging the posting so you can find things using the search feature, but I swear I remember reading a posting from someone with the same writing style - even to the unique way of spelling SPA (in all caps).

I don't know where the "icky" tourist traps might be that you mentioned in your other post. Sure didn't see anything that matched that description when I was wandering Provence.

I just topped Abbydog's South of France report. She spent a lot of time researching her trip and incorporated many suggestions from Fodorites. Maybe you could pick and choose from her post to decide what to do in your 4-5 days.

Don't know about non-hotel spas.

starrsville

By the way, I'm not sure where you developed your bias, but I can assure you that my spa experiences at destination hotels renowned for their spa services have been far from "hum-drum". Given that bias I hope you find employment elsewhere.

Therese

Okay, so to clarify, you have or you haven't previously visited a spa in France, either thalasso or balneo/thermale? If you have then you know what to expect, and if you haven't (and your spa experience is basically North American) then it's a very different experience altogether.

Having a car will make things easier in any case.

suze

Therese, thank you for your detailed replies (although I am not the original poster). I am interested in european spas for future trip planning, but am only beginning to read and learn about them. So your accurate descriptions are most helpful. And to know that it would be a good idea to allow a full week for the experience.

I know a little bit from friends living in Switzerland and their various versions of "clinique".

cigalechanta

I've had lunch in two Provence towns that are noted for their spas. People go there for curative spa treatments.
Digne-les-Bains and
Greoux-les-Bains.

grinchlette

Cigalechanta--thanks! That is exactly what I was looking for.
Sante~
dms

Therese

I remain a bit confused as to what grinchlette's been looking for---do report back on your experience with either Digne-les-Bains or Greoux-les-Bains (both thermal/hot springs sorts of spas).

Suze, I can give you more details re my experiences with French thalassotherapy spas if you're interested. I've stayed at two, both fairly close to Montpellier (where I was going the week after my spa visit each time for work): Port Camargue and La Grande Motte.

You can see Port Camargue at the following web sites:

http://www.allo-thalasso.com/langued...port-camargue/

http://www.accorthalassa.com/gb/index_html.html

The latter site is for the Accor hotel group (Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Red Roof Inn) which has a large group of spas and offers a reliable experience at various price points (depending on the luxury level of the hotel---everybody has the same level of spa experience). The spa at Port Camargue is attached to a Mercure hotel---you can navigate your way through the site to see Port Camargue, and also look at about 20 other spas in France and elsewhere.

You can see La Grande Motte at:

http://www.thalasso-grandemotte.com/

Here's a spa I'd like to visit next time I visit France:

http://www.previthal.com/curesoins.htm

I'm also interested in doing a hot springs spa sometime soon. So many spas, so little time...

suze

my sincere thanks again Therese. i will check out all the websites you mention. what fun!

i visit a friend in Europe for 1 week every-other summer, travel solo, so was looking for something for the 2nd week a bit different from picking another city to go sightseeing.