France on a High - Thalassotherapy at Dinard

If the idea of smothering yourself in hot seaweed paste seems more like a punishment than a pleasure, then you are probably among the vast majority of Brits who find thalasso- therapy a mystery.

Originating from the Greek word thalassa, meaning ‘sea’, the health treatment uses seawater, minerals and seaweed as the basis for a range of therapeutic remedies ranging from invigorating hydro-massaging baths to hot seaweed wraps which relieve aches and replenish the skin. Unlike us, the French have taken to thalassotherapy like gulls to seawater and it’s a well-known treatment for conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism and circulation problems, and doctors regularly refer patients to thalassotherapy centres.

The treatments are also said to help reduce stress, detox the body and boost mental and physical wellbeing. Seawater is rich in a range of minerals including potassium, sodium, calcium, sulphur and silica, as well as having antibacterial and antiviral qualities which replenish deficiencies in our own bodies and help maintain an equilibrium.

There are 40 treatment centres around France’s coastline and I’ve come to the Accor Thalassa in the pretty seaside resort of Dinard in Brittany to find out why ‘thalasso’ is so popular. The centre is part of a Novotel hotel complex which offers modern and stylish three-star hotel rooms as well as self-catering studios for those who would like more independence. Situated next to the sea opposite Saint-Malo, all of the hotel rooms and studios have sea views. The restaurant, bar and thalassotherapy centre also look out across the Channel providing a serene backdrop in which to sit, meditate and feel a real closeness to the sea.

RELAXATION

I was keen to try out some treatments so, having donned my bathrobe, I made my way down to the thalassotherapy centre for my afternoon of relaxation therapy. The great thing about the hotel complex is that all rooms have direct access to the thalassotherapy centre which means that you can wander around in your bathrobe and truly immerse yourself in your spa-break experience. It is quite usual to see guests in bathrobes at breakfast or in the bar in the afternoon.

First on my list of appointments was algothérapie (seaweed body wrap) and, although you can keep your swimsuit on if you choose, I was advised it was better to take it off. As I lay down, the therapist smothered me in a warm, thick seaweed paste before wrapping me in a thin layer of plastic and cocooning me in an electric blanket. Trapped within my snug cocoon, the warmth of the seaweed paste seemed to penetrate to my very core. The 20-minute session was up before I knew it and after showering off, my skin felt soft and moisturised and every muscle in my body felt deeply relaxed.

My next treatment was a bain hydromassant. This is, in principle, much like a Jacuzzi but with many more jets which are aimed at different parts of your body. A deep bath was filled with seawater at just under body temperature. Immersed up to my chin, strong jets of seawater massaged different body parts, turning the bath into a steaming cauldron that bubbled like a pot on a stove. Unlike algothérapie, this treatment is revitalising and energising with each muscle gently pummelled by the strong jets of water.

TAKING EFFECT

I took a break in the salle de repos, a rest room looking out over the sea where you can stretch out on a sun lounger, wrap yourself in a blanket and sleep, read or simply gaze out to sea. It was here that I noticed the treatments really taking effect—my body felt heavy, my muscles loose and my heart seemed to beat at half the usual rate.

After half an hour of meditative bliss, I made my way to my next treatment, jets marins jambes. In a mini-pool with nine others, you each have your own very powerful jet of water which kneads your back and legs. You perform simple movements in the water to change the part of your body that the water jet massages including your back, legs, ankles, ribcage and feet—ideal for anyone with muscle or joint problems.

Feeling relaxed all over I prepared myself for the last treatment: affusion. Like algothérapie, this is a treatment that is best done sans costume, but is by no means compulsory. Lying face down on the bed, warm seawater rained down all over my back and legs from about a metre in height. At first, I felt like I’d been caught in a tropical rainstorm but as I lay there, the gentle jets and trickles of water massaged me gently and the rhythmic noise of this rain-like deluge was calming and restful—the ideal way to end my afternoon.

PEACEFUL

After a peaceful night’s sleep, I couldn’t help wondering why so few Brits come to enjoy thalassotherapy in France. In fact, 90 per cent of the centre’s clients are French with the remaining ten per cent being primarily British, Belgium and Swiss. I asked Joëlle Colin, Manager of the Dinard Thalassotherapy Centre, why this might be. She suggested it was a question of pudeur. In other words, she thought that it is perhaps the British reserve which makes us feel embarrassed to leisurely wander around a hotel in a bathrobe and take part in treatments which can be quite intimate (like algothérapie) and with fellow spa-goers (such as jets marins jambes). She also said the language barrier could be an issue. Few of the therapists speak English so unless you speak reasonable French, you may have difficulty understanding what is going on.

As well as taking thalassotherapy treatments, spa-goers can also enjoy the espace forme which has a seawater swimming pool, sauna and hammam, Jacuzzi and a fitness centre. There is also a beauty spa centre which offers facials, traditional massages, reflexology and a range of skin and beauty treatments.

It’s not just the thalassotherapy that can help you to relax. From the thalasso centre you can follow the coastal path on the former Sentier des Douaniers to Dinard and beyond. Not only does the fresh sea air and exercise cleanse the system but you can also take in the views of Saint-Malo and the grandiose villas built by the rich aristocrats who were attracted to the resort during the Belle Époque.

As my trip comes to an end, I feel that this encounter with the sea has been a hugely positive one. The treatments have boosted my energy levels and eradicated stress and the fresh sea air has cleared my head and cleansed my body. And what better way to end my spa break than to relax and reflect with a farewell glass of wine looking out across panoramic views of the sea?

TOP TIPS FOR A GREAT THALASSO BREAK

Leave any work worries behind—laptops and work mobiles are best left at home

Bring plenty of reading matter for the salle de repos l Keep hydrated on the day of your treatments. The Thalassa Dinard offers spa-goers a complimentary herbal tea and a fruit or vegetable juice every morning and afternoon so make the most of it

Try not to shave on the day of the treatments as salt water can irritate freshly shaved skin

If you don’t speak good French, ask the Spa Manager for an English translation of the treatments so you know exactly what to expect

HOW TO GET THERE

Ryanair has daily flights from London Stansted to Dinard and a new route to Dinard from Nottingham East Midlands Airport will commence from 5th April.

For more information visit www.ryanair.com

The Accor Thalassa hotel and thalassotherapy centre is around 6km from the airport and costs less than 15€ in a taxi

Accor Thalassa Dinard
1 avenue du Château Hébert
35800 Dinard
Tel: (Fr) 2 99 16 78 00
Fax: (Fr) 2 99 16 78 29
www.novoteldinard.com

Thalassa Dinard thalasso mini-break prices: From 16 April to 23 September 2006, prices start from 362€ (£246) for one person and 764€ (£520) based on two people sharing. This price includes two nights half-board in the Novotel and six thalassotherapy treatments each

Accor Thalassa also has centres in Quiberon, Le Touquet, Dinard, Carnac, Les Sables d’Olonne, Oléron, Biarritz, Port-Camargue, Hyères and Porticcio. For more information visit www.accorthalassa.com

FURTHER INFORMATION

Office de Tourisme de Dinard
2, boulevard Féart
BP 90261,
35802 Dinard Cedex
Tel: (Fr) 2 99 46 94 12
www.ot-dinard.com