Nouvelle Aquitaine is France's largest region, stretching from the Atlantic coast and Pyrenees mountains in the south to the Loire Valley in the north. It encompasses world-renowned wine regions like Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion, the surf capital of Biarritz, prehistoric wonders at Lascaux, and the dramatic Dune du Pilat. With diverse landscapes, rich gastronomy, and centuries of history, Nouvelle Aquitaine offers an unrivaled travel experience in southwestern France.
Top spas
Curated picks for treatments and day spas.
Vinothérapie Spa Caudalie
The world's original wine spa, founded in 1999 among the Grand Cru Classé vineyards of Pessac-Léognan. Signature treatments include the Barrel Bath (soaking in warm Merlot grape extract), the Crushed Cabernet scrub, and the Pulp Friction massage using wine grape seeds.
Signature treatment: Barrel Bath with Merlot grape extract and resveratrol treatments
Thalassa Sea & Spa Biarritz
Oceanfront thalassotherapy center directly on Biarritz's main beach, using freshly drawn Atlantic seawater for jet baths, seaweed wrap treatments, and a sea-view hydrotherapy pool. Medical seawater cure programs available.
Signature treatment: Atlantic seawater jet bath circuit with ocean views
Les Bains de Léa Nuxe Spa
The spa of Bordeaux's most iconic palace hotel, featuring a beautiful indoor pool, hammam, sauna, and the full Nuxe product range of treatments. Located in the vaulted basement of the 18th-century hotel.
Signature treatment: Huile Prodigieuse signature massage with golden Nuxe oil
Grand Hôtel Thalasso & Spa Saint-Jean-de-Luz
A prestigious thalassotherapy center in the Grand Belle Époque hotel on the Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay, with Atlantic seawater pool, hydrotherapy jets, and Basque-inspired marine treatments in a historic setting.
Signature treatment: Atlantic marine mud wrap with Basque coastal seaweed
Spa Le Palais Biarritz
The spa of the legendary Hôtel du Palais, with an outdoor pool terrace overlooking the Atlantic, hammam, and signature Carita treatments in an imperial setting.
Signature treatment: Ocean-view pool and imperial suite treatments
Wellness retreats
Multi-day immersive experiences.
Surf and Yoga Biarritz
Surf and yoga retreat combining morning surf lessons on the Atlantic coast with afternoon yoga and meditation sessions, healthy Basque cuisine, and guided coastal walks. Several operators run these popular retreats from April to October.
Dordogne Eco Retreat
Wellness retreat in a restored Périgord farmhouse in the Dordogne hills, combining yoga, organic farm-to-table cuisine, forest bathing in the chestnut woods, and optional truffle hunting experiences.
Les Sources de Caudalie Wine Spa Retreat
A 'Cure Beauté' multi-day wellness package at Les Sources de Caudalie, combining Vinothérapie spa treatments, vineyard walks, healthy gastronomic dining, and private wine tastings among the Smith Haut Lafitte vines.
Biarritz Marine Cure
A medically supervised thalassotherapy cure at Biarritz's oceanfront spa, using Atlantic seawater, marine algae, and mud treatments to address stress, joint pain, and general wellbeing.
Signature treatments
Local specialties worth seeking out.
Massage
Traditional French massage from €60; hot stone massage from €80; Vinothérapie massage from €90
Hammam
Traditional hammam experience from €35; hammam with scrub (kessa) from €55
Body
Seaweed body wrap from €70; wine scrub treatment from €75; thalasso jet bath circuit from €50
Facial
Nuxe facial from €80; Vinothérapie anti-aging facial from €110; marine algae facial from €70
Yoga & meditation
Studios, classes, and meditation centres.
Centre de Yoga Bordeaux
Bordeaux's most established yoga studio with daily drop-in classes in a calm city-center space
Nomad Surf Camp, Biarritz
Popular surf and yoga camp with morning surf sessions and afternoon yoga classes on the Biarritz beach terrace
Yoga on the Beach, Côte des Basques
Summer outdoor yoga sessions on the iconic Côte des Basques beach in Biarritz, run by local instructors
Wellness travel tips
Get the most from your wellness experience.
Book Les Sources de Caudalie spa packages at least a month ahead in summer—it's one of the most popular wine spas in Europe
Thalassotherapy cures require a medical consultation; request one when booking your stay
The Biarritz thalasso centers offer day packages (€50-80) without hotel stay for day-trippers
The Dordogne's forested hills and river valleys offer exceptional forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) opportunities—simply walking at dawn through the chestnut woods is deeply restorative
Surf and yoga retreats in Biarritz book out for summer months by January—book early