Ever noticed that French women have gorgeous skin? I am yet to meet a French woman who doesn’t glow like they’ve just had a facial. For years I put it down to good diet and genetics until a recent trip to the Mont-Blanc region. While I was there, I visited Les Thermes Spa in Saint-Gervais and here I discovered the secret to great skin.

Since 1807, the thermal baths in Saint-Gervais, Mont-Blanc boast the benefits of spring water, a natural resource that runs from the Mont-Blanc mountain range. The Saint-Gervais thermal spring waters are high in sulphur and have acquired minerals and trace elements during their millennia-long journey through the alpine underground meaning they’re bursting with benefits that support healthy, radiant skin. For nearly 6,000 years, these natural spring waters have run beneath the rocks of Mont-Blanc before springing to the surface at a temperature of exactly 39 degrees.

Located at the foot of the Mont-Blanc, in a magnificent 10-hectare tree lined park Les Thermes Spa uses thermal water famous for its healing properties to treat skin complaints, heal, restore, soothe and balance the skins epidermis. The French are ahead of the curve when it comes to skincare, it’s part of their culture with French girls and boys practicing good skincare habits as early as age 10.

The Spa has a clinic, made up of medical professionals such as dermatologists, ENT specialists, Physiotherapists and General Practitioners that use the thermal water and its numerous healing properties to treat skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, scarring as well as asthma, tonsillitis, and burns.
I got to spend the afternoon at Les Thermes and experience the spa and thermal baths. The spa programme takes you on a wellness journey through relaxation workshops, saunas at different temperatures, steam baths and several indoor and outdoor pools all using thermal water and each delivering a unique sensory experience.

The ground floor at Les Thermes is inspired by the water’s journey through the depths of the earth combining an indoor and outdoor zone where you follow a sequence of hydro experiences taking in plunge pools, hydro pools and a warm jacuzzi. The outdoor setting is spectacular, pools and sauna cabins are flanked by lush gardens and greenery with breath-taking views of the mountains. This relaxing environment awakens all the senses yet has a calm vibe that comes from being in such a beautiful location. Upstairs in the spa, you’ll find light and sound booths, a relaxing herbal tea room and steam rooms. This floor is dedicated to sensations and represents water throughout the seasons using light and sound. The spa also offers a range of massages and treatments with thermal water at the heart of each one.

After a couple of hours experiencing the hydro pools and thermal baths, I emerged feeling recharged and relaxed. I immediately noticed the difference in my skin, normally after swimming or going to the spa I suffer from tight, itchy skin but mine felt soft and after a day my eczema appeared less red. The skin care range at Les Thermes compliments the treatments and because our skin is unique, they have their own dedicated area to diagnose your skin type and help you find the products best suited to your skin and needs. The team of advisors take you through their skin care range which uses 100% thermal water combined with alpine plant extracts. My skin can suffer from breakouts and I’m reluctant to try anything new in case it irritates me, but I loved these products. After just two weeks using the cleanser my skin had fewer blemishes and friends commented on how well I looked. Their 24h Hydrating Serum healed some small patches of eczema and left my skin plump and glowing with that ‘je ne sais quoi’ air that French women effortlessly rock.

House of Coco travelled to Saint Gervais courtesy of Savoie Mont-Blanc www.savoie-mont-blanc.com
For more information on Les Thermes, Saint Gervais visit www.thermes-saint-gervais.com

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