This is the fourth (and second-to-last, I promise!) article about our road trip in the Vienne department (86). In my first article, I suggested exploring the cultural side of the Vienne, then the natural and animal-focused Vienne, followed by the unusual Vienne, and this time, I’m taking you on a relaxing and gourmet stopover.
On the agenda: we went to discover the lovely small town of La Roche-Posay and its Spa Source, as well as some great gourmet spots in the region.
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Table of Contents
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay is obviously a well-known name, given that there is a skincare brand that bears this name.
So, during our journey, I was really eager to make a quick stop in the small town of La Roche-Posay to discover, in particular, its famous Spa Source.
The Spa Source in La Roche-Posay
This complex, dedicated to wellness, relaxation, and skin beauty, spans nearly 2,000 m².
The “velvet water” of La Roche-Posay, as it’s called, is at the heart of the spa treatments, thanks to its unique selenium and silica content, which gives it anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. The benefits of this thermal water are very useful for combating eczema, psoriasis, burns, and also for post-cancer treatment.
Le Carré des Sources
At the center of the spa, the Carré des Sources offers a 32°C thermal pool (with counter-current swimming and back and foot massage jets), a fresh-water jacuzzi, a Finnish sauna, a beautiful aromatic hammam with a panoramic view of the pool, a sensory pool, a fitness deck, and finally a relaxation area for snacking and chatting where you can enjoy a free snack and herbal tea at any time.
Price: solo entry pass €32 per day / duo entry pass €52 per day
Treatments tested
- The aromatic scrub under thermal water rain (organic treatment), perfect for starting off and preparing the skin for the rest. This scrub helps eliminate dead cells and activate blood circulation. You can choose the scent of your scrub (patchouli or citrus that day) which is rinsed off under a rain of thermal water. It is very pleasant (duration: 20 min / price: €48).
- My favorite photographer then had a Relaxing Massage, a massage inspired by the Californian technique and clearly perfect for a first-time massage experience (duration: 50 min / price: €80).
- For my part, I had a Deep Tissue body massage, an American-style massage focused on the deep release of muscles and tension. A very firm massage that was a bit painful during the process but very beneficial for my body afterward (Duration: 60 min / Price: €95).
The little extra: the eponymous thermal water is at the heart of the La Roche-Posay laboratory formulas, and through a partnership, the Spa Source uses the brand’s products.
The insider tip: access to the Carré des Sources is included with any body, facial, or massage treatment.
Spa Source La Roche Posay Parc Thermal 86 270 La Roche-Posay Open 7 days a week
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Les Loges du Parc & Spa ****
Completely reinvented in 2015, the Les Loges du Parc N’Spa**** hotel residence, located just a few meters from the Spa Source in La Roche-Posay, is a member of the Alain Ducasse Châteaux & Hôtels Collection network and is certified with the European Ecolabel.
This hotel residence was born in 1903 and, with its beautiful Art Nouveau facade, embodies the “Villes d’Eaux” (spa towns) that developed in the early 20th century. Inside the establishment, everything is brand new, refined, and quite sleek.
Our Bois de Chance Premium Loft
It was a real pleasure to spend a night in this magnificent 55 m² suite, with its beautiful view of the outside, its incredible bathroom (with a bathtub that is very close to a jacuzzi), and its super comfortable king-size bed!
Price: €260 in low season for 2 days and 1 night with 3 treatments (discovery weekend) + half-board / room outside of packages between €220 and €250 per night.
Breakfast buffet from €16
Hôtel Les Loges du Parc & Spa 10 place de la République 86270 La Roche-Posay The little extra: free wifi access
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Restaurant Le Saint Roch
Located on the other side of the town’s central square and therefore not far from the hotel, the Saint Roch restaurant offers refined, seasonal cuisine with some revisited regional specialties.
This restaurant also partners with the Les Loges du Parc & Spa hotel, and if you are on a half-board plan, this is where you will have your meals.
To taste:
What was nice is that during our dinner, we had movie soundtracks playing in the background, and we played a little “guess the movie” game with my favorite photographer; it was fun!
Restaurant Le Saint Roch 4 bis Cours Pasteur, 86270 La Roche-Posay Price: gourmet menu at €29 with starter + main course + dessert The insider tip: the “Tout un Plat” (all-in-one dish) formula with a main course + a glass of wine or mineral water + coffee for €15.90
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Video of our time in La Roche-Posay
Our video (by Nicolas Diolez, my favorite photographer) for the blog attempts to capture the atmosphere of this relaxing experience and make you want to discover this spa for yourself.
Don’t hesitate to tell us what you think in the comments, and there are videos in almost all the articles about our stay in the Vienne!
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Les Orangeries Hotel and Restaurant
In Lussac-les-Châteaux, a delightful 18th-century facade, dressed in stones and green shutters, hides a sublime, charming address that we’d want to keep to ourselves because it’s such a little gem. People come here to recharge their batteries, to relax in a setting of calm and greenery, and to enjoy the delicious cuisine of chef David Royer.
Les Orangeries is a 3-star hotel-restaurant that was the first French accommodation to receive the European Ecolabel in 2006.
On the menu, you’ll find “homemade” dishes with quality, seasonal products from small local producers practicing sustainable and/or organic farming. The plates really give pride of place to vegetables and herbs, some of which even come from the establishment’s own organic vegetable garden.
To taste in the “Retour du Potager” menu:
As for the wines, you’ll find a very beautiful selection of absolutely delicious natural wines that are worth discovering!
Les Orangeries 86320 Lussac-les-Châteaux Price: "Retour du Potager" menu with starter + main course + cheese + dessert at €40 / starter + main course + cheese or dessert at €35 / starter + main course or main course + dessert or main course + cheese at €29 / 3-course plant-based menu at €32 The insider tip: weekday lunch special (dish of the day) starter + main course + dessert at €25 / starter + main course or main course + dessert at €19.50
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I’d like to take this opportunity once again to thank the Vienne Tourism Agency for their welcome and for helping us organize this fantastic trip.
I hope that with all this, I’ve made you want to discover or rediscover the Vienne department, and if you also have your own recommendations and great addresses for this department, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments!
Find all my travel articles below:
⇒ All my articles on Nouvelle-Aquitaine
⇒ All my articles on the Vienne department
MY ARTICLES ON THE VIENNE
⇒ City guide to Poitiers
⇒ The Vienne: wellness and gourmet
⇒ The unusual Vienne
⇒ The natural and animal-focused Vienne
⇒ The cultural Vienne
⇒ The Futuroscope
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free, the photographer’s authorization is mandatory before any use
