I like firsts. Firsts always have an exhilarating sense of adventure. So, it was in Brittany that I went for a Thalassotherapy session for the first time. Of course, I had already tested little bits of thalassotherapy and spa treatments here and there, in Saint-Jean-de-Monts, in Belgium (in Spa, precisely), in Luxembourg,… But never for an entire weekend.
It was following an invitation that we were lucky enough to test the Spa Marin du Val André, located in the Côtes d’Armor department in Brittany, in the bay of Saint-Brieuc. I had actually been in the vicinity at Binic and Saint-Quai-Portrieux last year, if you remember. For the record, it was in the 19th century that the seaside resort of Val-André, attached to the commune of Pléneuf-Val-André, came into being with its beautiful seawall promenade and fine sandy beach.
The Spa du Val André itself is brand new, having opened its doors just over 5 years ago (it’s almost the same age as my blog, which is a pretty funny coincidence). This little 2-day getaway really did us a lot of good, and we returned feeling relaxed and stress-free. I therefore think the test was a success.
First impression upon arriving: the establishment is new, clean, and modern. Yet, it remains human-sized, with a little less than 100 rooms. Another very positive point is that the entire team is absolutely charming, and it is extremely pleasant to be welcomed into all the spa areas with a smile.
Table of Contents
Our room 305 at the Spa Marin du Val André
Very beautiful room for two people with a small balcony and a lovely view of the sea, which immediately won me over. We also slept very well; it’s quiet, and the bedding is of good quality (which I find is always a very important point, especially when you come to rest).
Price of our room: between €183 and €268 depending on the season
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The spa and treatments
Aside from the treatments, hotel guests have free access to the central pool room (with seawater) which offers hot tubs, jets, and many other fun little things.
Access to the hammam (which is also free for hotel guests) is in this room as well. The establishment also offers a gym and a herbal tea corner to hydrate between each treatment, sport, pool session, etc. You get to the spa by taking the elevator, so naturally, you go there in a bathrobe (I like that; it’s always fun to walk around in a bathrobe in a hotel).
The Escale Breizh
For my part, I had the chance to test the very new signature treatment of the house, the Escale Breizh, which took me on a journey for over an hour and a half (price €165). It was magical!
The treatment began with a buckwheat scrub, which is quite unusual, but I loved it, firstly because of the smell of the product and then because of the sensation on the skin. With the scrub, the product almost turns into sand in terms of texture towards the end of the application, and it is very pleasant. Then comes the salted butter caramel wrap, then a buckwheat mask to purify the face skin, and the treatment ends with a massage using a salted butter caramel candle once again.
After the treatment, I left a sweet scent of caramel in my wake, and the whole spa benefited from it. My favorite photographer also really appreciated this little scent brought back from my sensory journey in Brittany. To finish the treatment in style, I was also entitled to a little snack with the flavors of Brittany, including some gourmet treats…
This Breton stopover is truly a journey for all the senses, or almost, since soft Breton music or the sound of the waves lulled us throughout the entire protocol. All the products used for this treatment are local, and what’s more, they are also organic (like the local brand Ma Kibell, which is actually sold on-site), which is an extra effort worth noting.
Val’Viva 1-day package
My favorite photographer, for his part, tested the Val’Viva 1-day package with 4 treatments (€150).
On the program:
- a marine rain shower
- a relaxing and remineralizing bubble bath with a seawater hydromassage
- a remineralizing seaweed wrap, which provides minerals and trace elements to the body
- an aquagym class (and to think I missed it, that is my great regret…)
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Le S Restaurant at the Spa Marin du Val André
We ate lunch and dinner at the spa’s restaurant, and I must say we were impressed by the quality of the cuisine. All the ingredients used by the chef Jérôme Barbançon are fresh, and there is also a desire to favor local products (including the scallops from the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, which are highly renowned).
I also noted a particular effort to provide healthy and balanced cuisine (which obviously fits perfectly with the spa concept), but you can also ask for even more dietary versions of the dishes if you are, for example, looking to lose weight.
To try:
Here is a small selection in pictures of the dishes we enjoyed during this almost gastronomic weekend.
- Starters:
- Main dishes:
- Desserts:
The tip: lunch formula at €24 with starter + main or main + dessert Half-board: €45 / day Daily menu at €30 (included in the half-board formula), above are some of the dishes we tasted on that menu on Saturday and Sunday lunch Discovery Menu at €40 (€12 supplement compared to half-board)
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The breakfast buffet (€16)
In addition to a well-stocked buffet, it is also the time to grab a selection of the day’s newspapers for a bit of news reading.
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Things to do around the Spa
Ultimately, over 2 days, while taking full advantage of the spa, there isn’t really much time left to visit the surrounding area. However, I highly recommend you take an hour or two to go for a short walk on the coastal path (sentier des douaniers). I had, in fact, already told you about it during my stay in Binic and Saint-Quay-Portrieux.
You have 2 options. Leaving the spa, you can walk along the beach to your left and join the trail towards the port of Dahouët. Otherwise, you can set off, as we did, to your right and take a short trip towards the Verdelet islet (a bird sanctuary) and walk back down through the top of the town. It’s a very nice walk to take, and it doesn’t require any particular physical condition, just good walking shoes.
Otherwise, you can also just take a stroll in the small town of Pléneuf-Val-André and along the seafront to breathe in the iodine-rich air of the ocean, while casually dipping your toes in the sand…
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Our video of the weekend at the Spa Marin du Val André
Here is our first video (by Nicolas Diolez, my favorite photographer) for the blog, which tries to capture the atmosphere of this relaxing weekend. Don’t hesitate to tell us what you think in the comments and if you want us to continue making videos of our travels!
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Practical Information for getting to the Spa
Coming from Paris is very simple: just take the train from Montparnasse and stop at Lamballe (currently almost a 3-hour journey, but soon with the LGV Bretagne-Pays de Loire high-speed line, it will only be 2 hours and 15 minutes). Then, a spa shuttle will come to pick you up to take you to your destination (which is super convenient!).
Stay prices with treatment: stay for 2 days with treatments and accommodation from €405 / from €1,116 for 6 nights and 6 days
The tip: anniversary offer for the spa’s 5th birthday, valid throughout the year 2017 with the code VAL 5 which includes a deluxe double room with a sea view in half-board + Breton VIP welcome, €270 for two or €135 / person + optional Escale Breizh at €149 instead of €175/person
Spa Marin Val André 43 rue Charles de Gannes 22370 Pléneuf Val André
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And you, have you ever been for a Thalassotherapy session in Brittany or elsewhere?
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization required before any use
