I stumbled across Biarritz like a summer-escape destination almost by accident. After hunting for a yoga or detox retreat in sunny Europe, I made a decision to widen my search, seeking a beauty-led holiday having a stronger identity.
Just as you would imagine and glamorous from top to bottom, Biarritz is full of beautiful people and trendy boutique hotels. 'The Queen from the Basque' as it is known as, is also home to the long-lasting, prestigious L'Hotel du Palais – using its very own Romy Schneider room full of romantic interiors, pastel walls along with a luxurious salle de bain.
The Basque influence isn't instantly obvious beside in the Spanish palms and proximity to San Sebastian and potentially more prominent inside the gastronomic scene where foie gras and manchego style tapas are served street-style inside a party atmosphere.
However there is a lot more than meets the eye for this majestic French town – as behind this glitzy surface lies a really serious, holistic beauty scene and the the place to find many authentic Thalasso spas. Spas of this nature derive their name from the Greek word Thalassa, meaning 'sea' and follow an Ayurveda practice of health and wellbeing.
'According to the wisdom of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of health and longevity and the sister science to yoga, true beauty is what naturally comes from simple acts of reverent self-care.'
My bien-etre tour of Biarritz began at the heart from the town in the newly decorated, art deco Le Regina, Hotel & Spa. An urban style, boutique hotel that outwardly celebrates architecture, fashion, design and 'the art of living'.
It was here aboard the Mediterranean Sea, I had my first French-inspired treatment aptly named; Facial – Nuage D'eau by Parisian beauty range Omnisens. Nuage D'eau is within essence marine based oxygen facial to assist skin cells within their regeneration by giving optimal hydration and relaxation.
The treatment ritual began with a visual and manual analysis to ascertain my skin 'Dosha*' (mind / body type of skin), mine being – Fire/Water and therefore an application tailored to sensitive and combination skins. Layers of regenerating scrubs followed by a hydrating mask and radiance balms were applied to balance my skin, while a calming head and foot massages were performed. The facial happened in one of the most indulgent, noir beauty rooms fit with wall-to-wall rainforest showers. As the range boasts, treatments are performed with natural ingredients, simplicity, innovation and a sensory experience and therefore are organically indulgent.
Next stop was the prestigious L'Hotel du Grand Palais. Not just a palatial hotel but also a popular health haunt and I simply couldn't resist their body treatment fit for a Queen set within a modern Moorish spa oasis. The Imperial Spa as it is termed overlooking the ocean, hosts the heavenly Guerlain range of products and it has a comprehensive treatment list. Post Hammam, I booked an Imperial Relaxing Massage that pays homage to the Eau de Cologne Impériale. As described, the entire body aqua massage or maybe it had been the room's very own natural sea acoustic (how very Thalassic), transported me right into a Zen-zone quickly. This multisensorial experience was relaxing, invigorating and awakening from the top to the toe.
Further on the coast, lies the charismatic town St Jean de Luz, home from the Grand Hotel Thalasso and 'Loreamar' (Ocean Flower) Spa and subsequently phase of my wellness discovery. For just two blissful days, I immersed myself within the ultimate Thalassotherapy experience, where endless bodies of seawater baths (loaded with beneficial health elements), hammams and experience showers are matched with holistic treatments and ancient well-being philosophies. The seawater helps your skin and the body tissues relax and soften as the herbal tea bar is really a host to ultimate relaxation and discovery. My body, post spa break, felt re-oxygenated and nourished, strengthened and toned. Water felt alive and active against your skin and felt similar to an entire body scan experience – like the Geneva rivaled, medi-spas and La Prarie clinic.
Therapists trained in from naturopathy, acupuncture and osteopathy, have there been available to support the Thalasso wellness journey also it reinforced why a lot of French ladies are committed to self-care.
Last out there was a trip to the quietly cool surf town, Hossegor, I had heard a lot about from the Biarritz locals. Enter the dual personality of Biarritz – put aside the charming old-world glamour, striped parasols and over crowded beaches and also you encounter yet another side to the west coast, certainly one of impressive surf swells, Bobo chic, organic lunch spots and countless mermaid-esque beauty goers.
Except for the French locals, the surf scene is somewhat of a mystery to tourists. I started to discover a cool, underground scene to Biarritz and the Basque country that really could simply be familiar with the flesh. This very serious surf town will give Bondi beach a real run for its money and is filled with unique detox options and new-age beauty treatments running all across the coast and health retreats to get the pulse jumping.
I arrived at Lake Loft Hossegor, the Elle Décor version of a Cali surf lodge, where I spent mornings practicing sun salutations with a private Yoga instructor, lazy afternoons by the pool (with direct forest view) and evenings shucking fresh oysters with locals through the lake. If adventure is more of your thing, the neighborhood beaches had endless surf cabins enabling you to grab a regular surf class or simply hang out and eat crepes using the locals. Nevertheless the swells were quite a spectacle so perhaps best restricted to the mid level not amateur surfie much like me – perhaps a health goal for my next trip to the Basque country.
Did I find my inner goddess? Well maybe, yes, but moreover I found a new cool region of France removed from the cliché South and St Tropez's and a chilled lifestyle enviable by anyone needing a detox holiday.
