22 May 2015
L'Occitane opens flagship spa at French hotel that used to be a convent
BY Helen Andrews
The five-star Le Couvent des Minimes Hotel & Spa, situated in the French village of Mane and housed within the walls of an ancient convent dating back to 1613, has been fully refurbished by L’Atelier Pascal Borde to meet the design requirements of majority shareholder L’Occitane.
The 46-guestroom property in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region has reopened following the transformation of its spa into a 700sq m (7,535sq ft) Le Spa L’Occitane using a palette of yellow, brown and white. Its six treatment rooms include two doubles and there is a high-ceilinged tisanerie (tea room) at the heart of the wellness sanctuary. There are also redeveloped steambaths and a sauna.
The signature treatment at Le Couvent des Minimes' L’Occitane spa is a hot-cold verbena lemon therapy that starts with a hot scrub using Camargue salt, followed by the application of a chilled sorbet verbena body ice gel.
Speaking exclusively to Spa Opportunities, international spa director for L’Occitane – Helene Goetzelmann – commented: “Located in the heart of Haute-Provence, not far from the L’Occitane hometown, Couvent des Minimes is a unique property that is deeply connected to the brand DNA. It is authentic, with a true soul and reminiscent of all the traditions and know-how of Provence. The spa is a true flagship for the brand, illustrating our spa expertise and philosophy, using natural ingredients and ‘sensorial’ textures with expert techniques and high-efficiency formulae.”
Other refurbishments to the property include the addition of a number of arches and openings, as well as a large timber structure courtyard created by Les Compagnons du Tour de France. Seven of the guestrooms have been fully refurbished and enlarged too.
The restaurants have been refurbished and expanded, while the kitchen has been fully refitted and a 75sq m (807sq ft) area has been added so guests can watch the chef prepare meals.
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