Buy the full study
Summary of our market study
The French spa market is valued at around 3.6 billion euros, placing France among the world's top five markets. The thalassotherapy market is worth around 100 million euros, with just over 1 million cure-days.
In 1998, the French social security system stopped reimbursing the cost of thalassotherapy cures.
The spa market, with over 9,000 salons in France, is much broader.
70% of spa and thalassotherapy customers are women.
These customers are generally in the 40-50 age bracket.
Single treatments account for 54% of spa purchases.
The majority of thalassotherapy centers in France are located along the Atlantic coast.
Thalassotherapy and spa market players in France
Seafront thalassotherapy centers
- Thalasso Pornic is one of France's leading thalassotherapy centers.
- Thalazur
- Relais thalasso
- Thalassa (Accor Groupe)
- Saint James Albany
Digital platforms
- Thalasseo
- Balinea
Regulatory and standards bodies
- AFNOR (Association Française de NORmalisation) - This organization plays a central role in standardization in the thalassotherapy sector.
- Spa Emotion is a source of information on the regulatory aspects of operational standards and the expectations of spa establishments in France.
to understand this market
Detailed content of our market study
Inforamtion
- Number of pages : ~ 40 pages
- Format : Digital and PDF versions
- Last update :
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Definition and scope of study
It's important to distinguish between thalassotherapy and spas, since they cover two different activities. The term thalassotherapy, generally abbreviated to "thalasso", refers to all the therapeutic and well-being treatments that can be provided using substances derived from the marine environment (seawater, mud, etc.).
Generally recommended for the treatment of fatigue and arthritis, thalassotherapy must be located by the sea or ocean (English Channel, Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea).
A spa, on the other hand, has no such requirements. Synonymous with well-being and luxury, a spa provides customers with a moment of comfort through skin treatments, beauty care and relaxation sessions. While most spas are independently run, some have been created within luxury hotels.
The global spa market in 2022 was valued at $104.5 billion, with a projected CAGR of 8.3% from 2022 to 2027. The global thalassotherapy and spa market was valued at$46.3 billion, with an estimated CAGR of 14.3% from 2022 to 2027.the global wellness market, which includes spas and thalassotherapy, was valued at $5,600 billion in 2022. This sector is growing steadily, with forecasts of an increase to $8,500 billion by 2027.
In France, the thalassotherapy and spa market represents a significant part of the wellness economy, although its growth is more moderate compared to the global market. Between 2020 and 2022, the sector is expected to increase in value by 11.6%. France ranks among the world leaders, being the third-largest market for spas in terms of sales in 2022. Thalassotherapy is a genuine French speciality, with France leading the world with around 56 thalassotherapy centers in 2024.
The French market is dominated by established groups such as Thalazur, Thalassa Sea & Spa (Accor Group), and Relais Thalasso. These players offer varied and innovative treatment programs. New entrants and startups, as well as online booking platforms such as Thalasseo, have also emerged, increasing competition and diversifying the offer available to consumers.
Recent trends show constant innovation in the services on offer, with the introduction of new technologies such as cryotherapy and preventive wellness treatments. Digital platforms have changed the way consumers book their stays, often offering attractive discounts. In addition, demand for wellness services has been amplified by the pandemic, with an increased focus on stress management and mental health. Thalassotherapy centers and spas continue to adapt to these evolutions to meet growing customer expectations.
1.2 The global wellness, spa and thalassotherapy market
Overview of the global wellness market: a market worth $*.* trillion by ****
At the last Global Wellness Summit, the Global Wellness Institute presented the latest data on the wellness market, showing the market's growth since the health crisis, as well as growth prospects up to ****, when the market is expected to reach ...
1.3 Domestic market
Overview of the French thalasso and spa market: INSEE approach
We can analyze NAF code **.**Z entitled"Services d'entetien corporel", which includes Services related to well-being and physical comfort, such as those provided by Turkish baths Saunas and steam baths, solariums, spas, weight-loss and slimming institutes, massage institutes (***), etc. Methodology and ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 The French relationship with Thalassotherapy and Spas
In a recent context marked by pandemics and considered anxiety-provoking[***]
The French relationship with Thalassotherapy France, ****, in France Thalasso via Le Figaro
A study entitled "Les Français et les médecines douces" (***). What's more, **% of French people say they have already had a thalasso, and **% are interested in the ...
2.2 French demand expectations
A global survey conducted in **** by the American firm McKinsey & Company showed that **% of people consider well-being an important element in life. More specifically, **% of those surveyed expressed that well-being is a top priority. **% of **-** year-olds say they are ready for a thalasso[***]
The pandemic and repeated confinements have only ...
2.3 Indirect demand factors
Demand for thalassotherapy and spa establishments is impacted by hotel occupancy and French life expectancy .
Hotel occupancy in good health
In the second quarter of ****, hotel occupancy in France was up *.*% on the same quarter of the previous year, reaching ** million overnight stays, an increase of *.* million nights. This increase was ...
2.4 Seasonal demand
According to Google Trends analysis of spa search volume in France, interest in spas in France shows strong seasonality, with notable peaks in summer, when searches reach their peak. After a significant drop in spring **** due to the pandemic, searches have picked up again and increased each year, reaching high levels ...
3 Market structure
3.1 Market structure for thalassos and spas
We can organize the players and structure of these markets with this approach:
3.2 French plant structure and geographical breakdown
As of ****, the number of establishments and employees in the body care services category is showing a stable positive trend .nAF ****Z "Body care services" covers body care activities aimed at improving physical and mental well-being, such as beauty treatments, massages, spas, thalassotherapy, and other wellness and relaxation treatments.
Number of ...
3.3 Competition and complementarity: thalasso vs. spa
It's important to note the competition and complementarity between thalassotherapy centers and spas. While the former are subject to regulatory constraints that require them to be located by the sea, the latter are not - they can be located anywhere in France.
As explained in the section devoted to the global ...
3.4 Strong international competition
While **% of thalassotherapy customers are French, theFrench thalassotherapy sector is facing stiff international competition, particularly from countries around the Mediterranean and the Maghreb. These countries benefit from an attractive climate, lower labor costs and the boom in low-cost air travel, thus attracting part of the potential clientele(***).
In addition, France is ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Thalassotherapy treatments
Since ****, thalassotherapy has not been medically recognized and is therefore no longer reimbursed by Social Security, unlike spa treatments, which require a doctor's prescription. Today, thalassotherapy is perceived as a relaxing stay, generally lasting from * to ** days, the cost of which depends on daily treatments, the establishment chosen, accommodation, transport and ...
4.2 Les services dans les spas
Les spas sont généralement polyvalents par rapport à l’offre proposée aux clients. Ces derniers proposent souvent aussi bien des services propres aux spas, que des services qu’il est possible de retrouver dans des centres de bien-être (***).
Deux catégories de soins sont particulièrement présentes ...
4.3 Tendances de l’offre
«La crise sanitaire a contraint nos fournisseurs à revoir en profondeur leur stratégie et à se remettre en question. Pour ****, nous notons beaucoup de changements dans l'offre proposée par les centres de soins avec l'arrivée notamment de nouvelles cures innovantes. Elles devraient plaire, citons : Métamorphose, Jeunesse, Thalasso Spéciale ...
5 Regulations
5. Current control
Thalassotherapy center regulations
It may be important to note certain regulatory aspects that have marked a breakthrough in the sector.
Cures at thalassotherapy centers have not been reimbursed by the French social security system since ****. On the other hand thermal cures are reimbursed under certain conditions:
The spa cure must be ...
6 Positioning the players
6. Segmentation
- Thalassa Sea & Spa (Groupe Accor)
- Thalazur
- Relais Thalasso (Phelippeau)
- Alliance Thalasso de Pornic
- Saint James Albany Hôtel Spa
- La Réserve Paris - Michel Reybier Hospitality
- Dior Institut
- Spa L’Occitane (Groupe L'Occitane)
- Cinq Mondes
- Spa Océanide
- Travel spa Thalasseo
- Balinea
- Guerlain Spa
- Caliceo (Duval groupe)
- Nuxe
List of charts presented in this market study
- Trends in the size of the global spa market
- Size of the global thalassotherapy and spa market
- Growth in sales excluding VAT for NAF code 9604Z "Body care services"
- Positioning France among its global competitors (Spa)
- Positioning France among its European competitors (Thalasso and Thermal spas)
All our studies are available online in PDF format
Take a look at an example of our research on another market!
Latest news
Green light for thalassotherapy project at Larmor-Plage - 27/02/2024
- Project cost: 30 million euros
- Project size: 3,500 m² thalassotherapy center
- Hotel capacity: 130 rooms
- Jobs generated: 80
Balneotherapy: Calicéo expands near Strasbourg - 12/01/2024
- Lyon-based specialist in urban aquatic relaxation facilities
- 8 sites in Lyon, Bordeaux and Toulouse.
- In 2023, Calicéo had sales of nearly 30 million euros and 210 employees
- The company is part of the Duval Group, which achieved sales of one billion euros in 2022.
Thalazur: Carnac thalassotherapy center gets a facelift - 22/11/2023
- 45 million euros: investment by Thalazur to renovate its Carnac thalassotherapy center
- 1978: year the site was created
- 2017: year Thalazur acquired the site
- 9: number of sites owned by Thalazur in France
- 200: total number of rooms after renovation
Nuxe: 30 years of natural success - 12/04/2023
- Year of creation of Nuxe: 1989
- Founder of Nuxe: Aliza Jabès
- Nuxe employs 900 people
- 30,000 retail outlets in 60 countries
- Sales in 2021: 290 million euros
- Huile Prodigieuse: 35 million copies sold since its launch
- Nuxe plant and R&D laboratory: Fougères, Brittany, France
- Belgian holding company Sofina owns 45.13% of Nuxe (since 2019)
- Exports account for 53% of Nuxe sales
- Main markets outside France: Italy, Spain, Greece
- Subsidiary in China to open in 2020 - Nuxe has 63 spas
- Spa division represents 10% of total sales
The success of Nuxe: 30 years with natural products. - 12/04/2023
- Nuxe founded in 1989
- 900 employees
- 30,000 retail outlets in 60 countries
- Estimated sales in 2021 of 290 million euros
- Huile Prodigieuse: 35 million copies sold since its launch
- Super Sérum Anti-Age (second best-selling product): 74.50 euros per 30 ml
- Plant and R&D laboratory located in Fougères, Brittany
- Belgian holding company Sofina has held a 45.13% stake in Nuxe since 2019
- Exports account for 53% of sales in 2021
- Italy is the leading market outside France, followed by Spain and Greece
Companies quoted in this study
This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :
Choosing this study means :
Access to more than 35 hours of work
Our studies are the result of over 35 hours of research and analysis. Using our studies allows you to devote more time and added value to your projects.
Benefit from 6 years' experience and over 1,500 industry reports already produced
Our expertise enables us to produce comprehensive studies in all sectors, including niche and emerging markets.
Our know-how and methodology enable us to produce reports that offer unique value for money.
Access to several thousand articles and paid-for data
Businesscoot has access to all the paid economic press as well as exclusive databases to carry out its market research (over 30,000 articles and private sources).
To enhance our research, our analysts also use web indicators (semrush, trends, etc.) to identify market trends and company strategies. (Consult our paying sources)
Guaranteed support after your purchase
A team dedicated to after-sales service, to guarantee you a high level of satisfaction. +44 238 097 0676
A digital format designed for our users
Not only do you have access to a PDF, but also to a digital version designed for our customers. This version gives you access to sources, data in Excel format and graphics. The content of the study can therefore be easily retrieved and adapted for your specific needs.
Our offers :
the thalasso and spa market | France
- What are the figures on the size and growth of the market?
- What is driving the growth of the market and its evolution?
- What is the positioning of companies in the value chain?
- Data from several dozen databases
Pack 5 études (-15%) France
- 5 études au prix de 75,6€HT par étude à choisir parmi nos 800 titres sur le catalogue France pendant 12 mois
- Conservez -15% sur les études supplémentaires achetées
- Choisissez le remboursement des crédits non consommés au terme des 12 mois (durée du pack)
Consultez les conditions du pack et de remboursement des crédits non consommés.
Our customer references
They have consulted our studies
Discover the opinions (+500)
Malcolm Vincent
Astoria Finance
Gregoire de Castelnau
Stags Participations
Timothé Huignard
PWC
Paul-Alexis Kebabtchieff
BCG
Aymeric Granet
Publicis Consultant
interviews & case studies
All interviews and case studies (45)
