Dive into aquatic luxury with thalasso hotels that are making waves

1. Hôtel Barrière Le Royal La Baule

In 1923, François André bought Le Royal La Baule and the casino overlooking the beach and facing one of the most beautiful bays in the world, and transformed them into a complex of nearly 3,000 m² of rooms, lounges and halls. The party's in full swing... François André has won his bet: the Pavie district has become the center of social life... The decorator Chantal Peyrat, who renovated the hotel from top to bottom, wanted a luminous thalasso hotel focused on well-being and hospitality. Her inspiration came from the salt marshes, with a broad palette of beige, blue and white. These tones are found in all 87 rooms and suites, with views of the elegant villas of La Baule or the sea. This 5-star hotel boasts two restaurants: Fouquet's, which features brasserie classics such as beef tartare and Caesar salad, as well as Breton specialties and healthy, gluten-free options in a masterly decor of wood panelling and glittering chandeliers, and Ponton, on the beachfront, for fish and seafood.

The thalasso has been completely redesigned by Chantal Peyrat, with every element reminiscent of the sea: waves on the ceiling, pure white.... No fewer than 26 new-generation cabins offer body treatments such as underwater massage, Guérande salt crystal scrub and lymphatic drainage, as well as Algologie and Biologique Recherche facials. Le Barrière Royal La Baule has also integrated a Medical Spa by La Clinique des Champs-Élysées, offering non-invasive Hydrafacial, OxyGeneo and cryolipolysis treatments, performed under medical supervision. Here, seawater is more than just a backdrop: it's a therapeutic ally, drawn from the mineral-rich waters off La Baule. The marine circuit, a vast heated pool, offers a relaxing immersion thanks to its hydromassage jets, outdoor whirlpool baths, sauna and hammam. Cures are available à la carte or as part of a program lasting from 1 to 6 days.

Hotel Barrière Le Royal La Baule
6 avenue Pierre Loti, 44504 La Baule
Tel: 02 40 11 48 48
Information and reservations

2. In Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the Grand Hôtel Thalasso & Spa Luz

Set course for the Basque country for a high-flying wellness experience. For over a century, the Grand Hôtel Thalasso & Spa Luz has cultivated the elegance and local tradition of the benefits of the sea. Both a 5-star luxury hotel and a thalasso spa, this historic establishment with 52 rooms and suites is located halfway between the cities of Biarritz and San Sebastian, and the site and surrounding area abound in enriching cultural activities.

The setting? A jewel of Art Deco architecture facing the Atlantic Ocean. Inside, the appointment is made with Loreamar, the spa and thalasso of the Pays-basque hotel, which has teamed up for treatments with Thalion, the 100% made-in-France label specializing in marine cosmetics. The program includes à la carte treatments such as detoxifying and remineralizing massages (also available for children), body treatments based on marine products and 3- to 5-day cures including balneotherapy, yoga, osteopathy and follow-up by a naturopath.

Around the hotel: for water sports enthusiasts, simply descend the stairs in front of the thalasso hotel for a session of surfing, paddle boarding, Hawaiian canoeing or wave-rafting. The hinterland offers just as much diversity, with a multitude of sublime golf courses offering breathtaking views of the Pyrenees, as well as fishing and hiking opportunities.

Grand Hôtel Thalasso & Spa | Saint-Jean-de-Luz
43 boulevard Thiers, 64500 Saint-Jean-de-Luz

3. Thermes Marins de Saint-Malo

A veritable institution, the Thermes Marins de Saint-Malo are spread out along the Emerald Coast. For 60 years, they have welcomed a prestigious clientele including Isabelle Adjani, Jacques Chirac and Clara Luciani, who have spent time here to get back into shape. Here, you can recharge your batteries facing the English Channel, for a breath of fresh iodized air!

The setting? A former hotel-casino built in 1883 - which already extolled the benefits of sea bathing in its advertising at the time - and remodeled in 1963 by Dr. Heger, a specialist in rehabilitation. With an imposing Belle Époque building, the aquatic courses take place under the pretty 1900 glass roof. A la carte or in 6-day stays, formulas are available according to your needs: to recharge your batteries, to treat yourself, to accompany mothers or to repair your body thanks to the virtues of algae. Successful treatments include the classic seaweed wrap enriched with a cream and a potato starch film, followed by a draining seawater rinse. Or check out modelage sous affusion, a signature massage using water jets alternating with a hydrotherapy oil massage - it's magical! And don't forget to sample light, seasonal dishes at the on-site Le Cap Horn restaurant.

Around the hotel: original activities including the Festival des grandes marées, the Route du rhum, or a visit to the fortress of La Conchée.

Bonus: the best place to stay is at the Grand Hôtel des Thermes, a 5-star hotel with 177 rooms and suites linked to the Thermes.

Thermes Marins de Saint Malo
100 boulevard Hébert, 35400 Saint-Malo

4. Castel Clara, coastal well-being and thalassotherapy hotel in Belle-île-en-mer

Castel Clara, a thalassotherapy hotel perched on the edge of a hill, offers a breathtaking view of Goulphar Bay in Belle-Ile-En-Mer, and beats in unison with the rhythm of the tides. It was undoubtedly the changing ocean light that captivated Claude Monet, inviting him to set up his easel on the bay's shores time and again. After following in the Impressionist painter's footsteps, we stop off at Castel Clara. This thalasso hotel, with its immaculate turrets on either side of the double slate-roofed building, offers 66 rooms and suites with a "seaside" decor. Guests can enjoy soothing treatments in a 1,000m² wellness area, where they can choose between relaxing in the heated seawater pool or lounging on a massage table and surrendering to the therapists' expert hands for a seaweed wrap.

Lovers of outdoor sports will appreciate the opportunity to hike the 85 kilometers of coastal paths, play golf, play tennis or cycle (electric bikes can be hired from the hotel) to explore the wild, unspoilt beauty of this island paradise.

We love: the hotel is the first thalasso hotel in France to be awarded the European Ecolabel, proof that luxury can also be compatible with respect for the environment!

Things to do around the hotel: visit tragedienne Sarah Bernhardt's military fortress at Pointe des Poulains, stroll along Plage du Donnant intoxicated by the scent of immortelles growing on the dunes, lose yourself in the Jardin Laboulaye where roses and agapanthus meet stone and iron sculptures, and hydrangeas bathe in waterfalls, climb the 247 steps of the Grand Phare to enjoy one of the finest views of Belle-Île.

5. Roz Marine Thalasso in Perros-Guirec

Inaugurated in 2023, Roz Marine offers a contemporary approach to well-being, with in-cabin treatments incorporating technologies such as chromotherapy and cryotherapy.

The setting? Located on the sublime Côte de Granit Rose in the Côtes d'Armor region, Roz Marine is a modern, high-performance spa. If you're a fan of extreme temperatures, the thalasso offers a range of original water courses in the marine area and in the Celtic course, inspired by ancient baths. There's also a choice of à la carte massages and immersion stays from 4 to 6 days. We love the winter garden where you can sip a detox infusion or herbal tea. Special mention for the decor, with natural elements such as wood and pink granite blocks paying homage to the region and giving the living spaces a real cocoon atmosphere. Gourmets won't go hungry, either, as the thalasso hotel in Brittany boasts two restaurants, L'Haliotis and La Suite, where you can feast on local fish, oysters or foie gras mi-cuit. Roz Marine has 71 comfortable rooms bathed in natural light.

Around the hotel: situated on one of Brittany's most beautiful natural sites, this is the ideal place to explore impressive blocks of pink granite, over 300 million years old. If you don't suffer from seasickness, take a boat trip to the islands of the Archipelago, which boast a rich diversity of dolphins, seals and whales.

Plus: a direct view of the beach. Here, thalasso treatments take place on the second floor, facing the sea and the Seven Islands archipelago. Calm, luxury and iodized well-being guaranteed!

6. Valdys Resort Saint-Jean-de-Monts, a relaxing escape on the Vendée coast

Saint-Jean-de-Monts, an emblematic seaside resort, lies along the Côte de Lumière. Bathed in 2,300 hours of annual sunshine, this pearl of the Vendée attracts visitors with its exceptional coastline and 8 km of fine sandy beaches, gently sloping towards the (not-so-cold) Atlantic Ocean. Less than 300 meters away on foot, the Valdys Resort is hidden away in a semi-wild pine forest. In 2023, this seaside hotel was awarded its 4th star with its 47 rooms decorated in a refined, efficient style. On the thalassotherapy side, while the solarium takes on the air of a Majorelle garden with its blue-painted facades, bright yellow furniture and lush vegetation, the relaxation room has been given an arty style with a wall featuring hand-painted motifs.

We love: the balconies in every room, where you can watch the sun set over the pine trees, and the swimming pool, with its wooden roof like an upturned ship's hull.

Things to do around the thalasso hotel: for history buffs, start your adventure by visiting the old quarter of Saint-Jean-de-Monts, with the parish church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste and its 19th-century stone architecture. Nature lovers won't want to miss a canoe trip through the Breton marshes to observe pairs of white storks and rare species of flora and fauna. Take the opportunity to take a boat trip to nearby Ile d'Yeu. Here you'll find charming villages, beaches and natural landscapes.

Valdys Resort Saint-Jean-de-Monts
16 avenue des Pays de Monts, 85160 Saint-Jean-de-Monts
Tel: 02 51 59 15 15

7. Hôtel Thalasso & Spa Miramar La Cigale: luxury and pampering in style

In the heart of the Gulf of Morbihan, facing the ocean, Miramar La Cigale invites you to cast off for a weekend of relaxation and well-being. This luxurious 5-star complex extends its 113 spacious, luminous rooms and suites along a building that looks like a cruise liner that stopped over on a marine lake. The Spa Océanique immerses guests in a marine atmosphere bathed in the crisp air of southern Brittany. In addition to massage rituals from around the world, customized treatments focus on three themes: personal balance and development, nutrition and sports activities. Between treatments, you can take advantage of the Parcours Marin, the first panoramic pool or the second with seawater heated to 32°C and equipped with swan necks, bubble loungers and massage jets.

We love it: whether the sun is enthroned majestically at its zenith or playing a mischievous game of hide-and-seek with the clouds - depending on the whims of Brittany's climate - striking light streams through the huge bay windows and bathes the thalasso hotel's pool in its changing reflections.

What to do around the hotel: immerse yourself in the medieval charm of the town of Vannes (35 minutes away by car) with its ramparts, cobbled streets and magnificent cathedral. Explore the local market for an authentic experience. Try your hand at sailing, kayaking or even snorkeling from the wide Fogeo beach, which sometimes resembles a tropical bay with its golden sands and turquoise waters.

Hotel Thalasso & Spa Miramar La Cigale
Port du Crouesty, Route du Petit Mont, 56640 Arzon
Tel: 02 97 53 49 00

8. Hotel & Spa Ile Rousse Thalazur Bandol, luxury, thermal baths and starred cuisine

Nestled in the charming village of Bandol, in the sunny Var department, the elegant Hôtel Thalazur proudly boasts a 5-star rating, right on the water. On the horizon of this thalassotherapy resort in France are natural gems such as the bay of Rénecros, with its Aleppo pines and fine sandy beach, nestled in a cove sheltered from the prevailing winds. If you listen carefully (and with a lot of imagination!), you could almost hear the ghost of Mistinguett humming in your ears, as she had her home on the very spot where the hotel now stands.

The setting? Total immersion in the Var region, between the calanques and Aleppo pines, the fine sand and pebble beaches, the thalasso hotel literally has its feet in the water. Treatments are based on seaweed and brown gold, marine mud enriched with seawater, mineral salts and trace elements. In addition to its indoor marine course, hammam and sauna, Thalazur has an outdoor seawater pool open until October, surrounded by deckchairs where you can watch the sunset while sipping a cocktail. For fine dining, there's the gourmet restaurant Les Oliviers and the Lumière bistro under the pergola. Our advice? Book one of the upstairs rooms with a view over the picturesque village of Bandol.

We love: the romantic rooms on the upper floors on the sea side, with their meticulous, mineral decor and lovely views over the crystal-clear waters, giving you a front-row seat for the sunset over Ile Rousse.

What to do around the hotel: just a stone's throw away, set sail for Ile des Embiez, off Le Brusc, or for the Golden Isles (Porquerolles, Port-Cros, Ile du Levant), which have preserved their wild charm. Crystal-clear waters and sunbathing are on the menu for your escapades! Don't miss a trip to Sanary-sur-Mer to discover one of the prettiest markets in Provence.

Hotel & Spa Ile Rousse Thalazur Bandol
25 Boulevard Louis Lumière, 83150 Bandol
Tel: 04 94 29 33 00

9. Côte Ouest Thalasso & Spa, an invigorating stopover in Les Sables-d'Olonne

Head for the Vendée and its seaside resort of Les Sables d'Olonne, less than 4 hours by TGV from Paris, where you can put down your bags at the Côte Ouest thalasso hotel. On the menu: a mild climate and an immense beach of fine sand flowing into an endless expanse of blue, a typical landscape of the region. At the end of the embankment that once protected the town from the ocean, you can watch bathers perched on their boards defying the waves on Tanchet beach. This well-known surfing spot is home to the Institut Sport Océan, the starting point for all water sports activities in the area. The Côte Ouest Thalasso & Spa, now under the MGallery banner, displays the owner's passion for the mythical world of 1930s ocean liners. At the entrance, an antique model of the Normandy stands alongside armchairs and trunks purchased at auction. A restful atmosphere that contrasts with the brand-new, contemporary thalasso.

We love: the restaurant's menu features seafood (cooked in salt water) and other local treasures. We especially like the pantagruel Sunday brunch overlooking Lac de Tanchet.

Things to do around the hotel: rent a bike to explore the nearby town and discover Le marché des Halles, a Pavillon Baltard-style building dating from 1890. Just a three-minute walk away, don't miss Île Penotte. A picturesque little pedestrian district where hollyhocks grow in front of houses decorated with mosaics made from shells. Mermaids, fish, giant jellyfish and ocean gods are the work of local resident Danielle Aubin, aka "Dame Coquillage". Next, take rue de l'Enfer, one of the world's narrowest streets, listed in the Guinness Book of Records.

Côte Ouest Thalasso & Spa
1 route du Tour de France, 85100 Les Sables D'olonne
Tel: 02 51 21 77 77