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The Paris Wellness Guide

The Paris Wellness Guide

Wellness travel and Paris might not seem like an obvious match. Paris is wonderful, there's no doubt about that. But it's also the home of artisan baguettes, buttery croissants, sweet macaroons and more cheese shops than seems possible. Although it might be tempting to trot from bakery to bakery, the Paris wellness scene is growing and it's easier than ever to stay nourished. Whether you're looking for somewhere to eat, exercise, or relax, our guide will show you a healthier side to Paris.

The Paris Wellness Guide

Paris at Night - The Paris Wellness Travel Guide

Where to Eat

 

Maison Bon makes healthy food look like the best thing ever. The canteen is all white tiles, stainless steel and wooden crates of fruit and veg stacked in front of a counter. This is a place that takes gluten-free seriously; nothing on the menu contains gluten and everything is either vegetarian or vegan. It’s small and there isn’t a huge amount of seating, but you can pick up a nutritious ‘lunch box’ and get it to go. Breakfast is served all day long, there are lots of options at the juice bar and you’ll probably leave feeling virtuous. 11 rue des Petites Écuries, 75010 Paris 
A French-Vietnamese fusion restaurant, Nest has built up an excellent reputation for serving fresh, healthy food. The menu isn’t huge, but it’s always interesting. The detox salad with cranberries and feta is popular, as is the Banh Mi burger. There are plenty of veggie options, a range of fresh juices and almost everything is served with pickles. 9 rue Villedo 75001 Paris 
Fully vegan restaurants are still rare in Paris and the Gentle Gourmet Café is one of the best. Lots of the dishes are inspired by French cuisine and the menu changes according to the season. Everything is homemade and there are there are raw and gluten-free options available. Located in central Paris, near the Bastille metro stop, the Gentle Gourmet is a great place to treat yourself to a nutritious lunch. 24 Boulevard de la Bastille, 75012 Paris 
An unpretentious café, Zoé Buillon is all about serving healthy food at affordable prices; a concept that’s not easy to come by in Paris. It’s a simple place; the food is served on trays and you have to grab your own biodegradable utensils, but that’s part of its charm. There are lots of vegetarian options and the spicy sweet potato soup is perfect for rainy days. 66 rue Rébéval, Paris 19 
If you like the idea of having lunch in Paris’ most colourful recycling plant, head to Café-Cantine de la Recyclerie. Once a railway station, the building was transformed into a centre for sustainable development and ecology. The kitchen is responsible and sustainable, so all dishes in the café are homemade and meat is kept to a minimum. Seasonal tapas is offered during happy hour, and healthy brunch is served every Saturday and Sunday. As a lovely bonus, organic food waste from the café is sorted and fed to the animals on the centre’s urban farm. 83 boulevard Ornano, 75018 Paris 
Soya Cantine Bio serves unusual, but delicious, combinations of vegetarian dishes and treats. The salad bar is extensive and everything is made using organic produce. On Saturdays and Sundays, a buffet-style brunch is offered for €24 and you can pile your plate with anything from lasagne to dessert. It gets busy, so booking ahead is a good idea. 20 rue de la Pierre Levée, 75011 Paris, France 

Where to Exercise

Marais in the Paris Wellness Travel Guide

Take a Yoga Class

Over the past few years, yoga has become a big part of the Paris wellness scene. New studios have opened up, international teachers are flocking to the city, and there’s never been more variety in terms of yoga styles. Drop-in yoga sessions in Paris aren’t exactly cheap, but if you’re there on a long-term basis, you can buy a class bundles from each of these studios:

 

Beyoga is a peaceful studio in Montparnasse. The studio offers classes in various styles, from Iyengar yoga to Ashtanga, and there’s a relaxing Candlelight Slow Flow on a Sunday afternoon. A regular class pass is €22, but happy hour classes are €14 (11 – 12.30pm, Tuesday – Friday). All Beyoga teachers are fluent in English, so there’s no need to panic about not understanding.17 rue Campagne Première, 75014 Paris
A bright, colourful studio in central Paris, Yoga Village is a great place to go and stretch. One of the contemporary styles of yoga on offer is Strala. Tara Stiles created this form of yoga, which aims to sculpt and tone the body. A single class pass in Yoga Village is €22, and workshops are held throughout the year. 39 Boulevard des Capucines, 75002 Paris 
A popular and established studio, Rasa is located on rue Saint-Jacques. There’s a variety of class levels, so whether you’re advanced or just starting out, you’ll find a class to suit. Daily classes are held in the studio and some are taught in English, so just check the timetable to find the right one for you. 21 rue Saint Jacques, Paris V 

Running in Paris

Running is definitely having a moment in Paris. Early morning joggers are now taking to the streets before bakeries have even opened their doors. It’s not surprising, really. Running through one of Europe’s most beautiful cities is hardly a chore, and it’s an excellent way to explore its parks and leafy gardens. The Luxembourg Gardens in the 6th arrondissement are particularly popular, as there’s a 1.3-mile gravel path around the perimeter. If you don’t mind getting up early to avoid the crowds, following the route of the Seine, starting at Notre-Dame, will take you past some of the city’s main sights. 

 

Walk Everywhere

It might seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget that walking around Paris is also exercise. Whether it’s a romantic stroll up Montmartre or a power walk down Boulevard Saint-Germain, it’s the best way to admire the buildings and fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the city. Stopping off along the way for a macaroon is definitely allowed.

 

Where to Relax

A park in Marais - Paris Travel Guide

Promenade Plantée

Promenade Plantée, a former 19th-century railway viaduct, is now the world’s first elevated park. It’s beautiful during the spring and summer. The rose bushes and cherry trees blossom and the scent of lavender could relax even the most stressed visitor. The path stretches for 4.7km, bordered by a mix of landscaped sections and patches of wild vegetation. It feels like an escape, but the views of the 12th arrondissement are a wonderful reminder that you’re still in the middle of Paris. The closest metro stops are Bastille and Gare de Lyons. Avenue Daumesnil/Porte de Saint Mandé/Bois de Vincennes, 75012 Paris

 

Le Tigre 

If you’re serious about wellness travel, Le Tigre Yoga Club is the place to go in Paris. Despite its name, the centre offers a lot more than yoga classes. Meditation sessions, mindfulness, Pilates, Qi Gong, and Tai Chi are a few of the sessions on the timetable.  You can also choose from various holistic therapies, such as shiatsu, or just enjoy the signature massage. Massages start at €95 for 55 minutes and classes start at €29 for a single class pass. There are two branches of Tigre Yoga, located at 101 rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris & 17/19 rue de Chaillot, 75116 Paris

 

Place des Vosges

Tucked away in the Marais district, the Place de Vosges is one of the loveliest squares in Paris. It was the first planned square in the city and its symmetry is an example of classic French style. The park is surrounded by red-brick buildings and stone arches. Sitting on a bench and watching the world go by is one of the simplest ways to relax in Paris. Place des Vosges, 75004 Paris

Where to Indulge

Blossoms - Paris Wellness Travel GuideSpa Nuxe

Producers of the cult beauty oil,  Nuxe opened their award-winning day spa in 2002. Housed in the former cellar of a 17th-century building, Spa Nuxe is a soothing labyrinth of stone walls, oak beams and low lighting. The range of treatments includes massage, beauty treatments and detox sauna rituals. Massage sessions start at €80 for 45 mins. 32-34 rue Montorgueil, 75001 Paris

 

Massage Concept

After a long flight, or an even longer day of walking around Paris, Massage Concept is the place to treat yourself. It’s all about massage here and the variety is impressive; 11 kinds of massage are available and there are 26 qualified masseurs and masseuses on staff.  If you don’t know the difference between Swedish massage and Ayurvedic, the staff will help you choose something suitable. Prices start at €40 for 30 minutes and go up to €125 for a two-hour session. 15 Rue de la Grande Truanderie, 75001 Paris

 

Where to Escape

Apartment - Paris Wellness GuideBois de Boulogne

Sprawled on the city’s west side, Bois de Boulogne is one of the largest public parks in Paris. It’s 845 hectares in size, so it’s ideal when you’re in need of some fresh air. Wander around the walled garden, hike through the woods or stroll around one of the two lakes. Porte Maillot is the closest metro stop. 75016 Paris

 

Giverny

One of the loveliest day trips from Paris, Giverny is the magical former home of Claude Monet. The pink house, where he lived for 40 years, is next to his carefully planned gardens. Explore the oriental themed Water Garden with its Japanese bridge, weeping willows. There’s also a lush flower garden, known as Clos Normand. Although it’s just a 45-minute train ride from Paris, Giverny looks like another world.  Get there by taking the train from Saint-Lazare in Paris to Vernon station. 84 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny

 

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