Pampered in Paris

On a postcard-perfect autumn day in Paris, I decided to walk from the Latin Quarter to the Eiffel Tower, reasoning that, with the many monuments and sights along the Seine, the walk would be a pleasure. And it was, but…  An hour and five kilometers later, I arrived at the foot of the tower with tired muscles and aching feet. Like many tourists carried away by the city’s charms, I’d walked far more than I normally do, and was more than happy to finally sit down to dinner that evening.

The newest offering from The Little Bookroom focuses on a sympathique solution to the tired-tourist syndrome. Kim Horton Levesque’s Pampered in Paris: A Guide to the Best Spas, Salons, and Beauty Boutiques is a user-friendly, pocket-sized book filled with descriptions of the city’s best retreats for rest and relaxation. Organized by arrondissements, the book offers descriptions of some 50 spas in Paris and its suburbs as well as nail salons, makeup boutiques and parfumeries. There’s also a short guide to the wealth of reasonably priced beauty products available at French pharmacies. Levesque explains her approach in the introduction: “I’ll tell you exactly what to expect at each spa: grandeur, simplicity, or something in between-and offer advice on how to navigate the cultural nuances of spa etiquette, so that anyone will feel informed and comfortable.” The 230-page book is beautifully illustrated with photographs that also convey each spa’s atmosphere.

The author provides basic information on services and costs, and, in researching her book, also spoke with many spa directors about their establishment’s goals. While these range from dealing with skincare issues to offering a better understanding of the client’s body chemistry, all those she interviewed agree that their aim is to provide a haven of total relaxation, an escape from the tumult of the surrounding city.

So whether you have a private car whisking you around the city or are relying on your own two feet, this guide to relaxation caters to all audiences and travelers, providing a chic, welcome respite from the fast-paced Parisian mode de vie.

Pampered in Paris: A Guide to the Best Spas, Salons, and Beauty Boutiques by Kim Horton Levesque. The Little Bookroom, 2010.