Normandy : an attractive region between land and sea, giving you a chance to escape

Normandy – a province of the ancient France located between Picardy and Brittany – is currently divided between Upper Normandy (to the east) and Lower Normandy (to the west). From Tréport to the Mont-Saint-Michel, this region offers you very varied coast landscapes. The sea – which sculpts the high architecture of the cliffs – softens the winter harshness and tempers the hot season, plays a large part in the success of this region of more than 600 km.

Highly valued for its thalasso cures, Normandy has three well-known centres : the Thalazur Ouistreham, the Algotherm centre from Deauville and the Institut Cure Marine from Luc-sur-Mer. The light range of temperature which characterized the Norman climate attracts tourists, especially the persons having hydrotherapy who consider Normandy to be a region favourable to their Thalasso cures. In Deauville, next to a magnificent sandy beach, the Algotherm thalasso centre offers you treatments of the highest quality, in a beautiful area bathed in sunlight. A large selection of specific treatments is proposed : "Vitality", "Well-being", "Special Back", "Prenatal", "Postnatal", "Heavy Legs", "Slimness", "Anti Cellulite", "Oriental". The tourist can enjoy a 5-day cure, with a personal programme including treatments and massages performed by a highly skilled staff. Whirlpool bath, jet shower, application of sea mud, seaweed wrap, medical hydrojet, massage, cryotherapy are among the numerous treatments included in the different cures in order to fight muscle tension and allow the body to relax and revitalize. Georges, 42 years old, has tested the "Special Back" cure and really enjoyed the theoretical session which aims at making you understand the origin of the pain : « This theoretical session, associated with the practical session based on learning and correcting everyday movements, allowed me to optimize the effects of this cure. In the same way, the booklet which explains the exercises to do at home encourages us to be more attentive. Therefore, the benefits of the cure are lasting. » In the same way, the "Oriental" cure has an effect on the muscle tension and proposes specific treatments such as Shiatsu, Nuad Bo Rarn or plantar and head reflexology. The Japanese Shiatsu massage balances the energy circulation and relieves you of tension and locking thanks to pressures and gentle stretching exercises. The Nuad Bo Rarn – a stretching technique based on yoga – contributes to undo muscle tension too. Finally, the plantar and head reflexology has an effect on the whole body thanks to pressures on the reflex zones of the energy meridians. The access to the Health Area – with cardio training room, sauna, thalasso swimming-pool equipped with jet streams, resting room and solarium – is also proposed.

The Institut Cure Marine from Luc-sur-Mer – also known as the "hammam of the sea" – proposes a concept unique in the region, the best of thalassotherapy : a fresh seaweed concentrate or "spiruline", which aims at boosting your natural defence. The "Health Form", "Weight Form", "Young Mother" and "Tonic Legs" cures last a couple of days with a programme which includes jet shower, wrap with fresh seaweed from Luc-sur-Mer or Mont-Saint-Michel, water trail, pressure therapy, hydromassage bath, bath with seaweed. A health/voluptuousness mixture that you have to discover !

Finally, the Thalazur Ouistreham thalassotherapy centre proposes a "passport" to form, high seas version. In Ouistreham – little Norman treasure proud of its medieval heritage and place of boarding for the ferries going to England – the Thalazur Ouistreham centre is equipped with a magnificent resting area with glass façades. Among the different cures (On Form, Blissful Beauty, Young Mother, Special Back, Nutrition Slimness), the oriental Harmony-Energy/Anti Stress cure is in the limelight thanks to its lectures on Chinese techniques, aqua sophrology and Qi Gong. With 14 individual hydrotherapy treatments including sophrology, aquasophrology, aquastretch and 11 individual treatments including reflexology, underwater four hand massage and shiatsu, this cure offers you to fight stress and overwork linked to your modern way of life. In the thalassotherapy centre and just in front of the sea, the hotel-restaurant Riva Bella 3* - which directly opens onto the beach – offers you to savour a dietary cuisine. Two swimming-pools, hammam, sauna and jacuzzi are also at guests' disposal. In this temple dedicated to well-being, thalasso treatments, aquatic relaxation and sophrology allow you to recharge your batteries just for a few days.

In addition to its thalassotherapy centres, Normandy also attracts tourists thanks to its numerous charms : 600 km of coast, 7500 km of footpath, 39 golf courses. The landing beaches – some of them have kept their nom de guerre – are currently holiday places where you can play many water activities. From now on they are famous beaches where the charms of Normandy encourage the development of society life : luxury hotels, night clubs, casinos, fashion shows, gala evenings, yearling sales, polo, golf tournament, car and plane rallyes, international regatta. Many good reasons to attract the tourists who are more and more fond of new sensations. At the edge of Paris, Normandy offers you the highly sought-after change of scene, just for a week-end or the summer holidays...