Relaxation is a necessity in today’s fast-growing world. A lot of individuals frequently do not choose to go on vacations or staycations. Spas offer a simple remedy for individuals in need of instant relaxation. Les Sources de Caudalie, founded in 1999 by Alice and Jérôme Tourbier, is a one-of-a-kind retreat located in the midst of the Bordeaux vineyards.
The idea of this luxury hotel and spa emerged from a desire to celebrate the region’s rich viticulture and the health benefits associated with wine consumption, famously encapsulated in the “French Paradox.” The spa introduces a new idea in vinotherapy, accessing the anti-aging benefits of grape and grapevine extracts along with deep underground thermal spring water. This method emphasizes utilizing the abundance of nature for overall well-being.
Alice Tourbier, the visionary entrepreneur, is the Owner of this well-known luxury spa in Bordeaux, which has become a symbol of wine tourism and wellness. Drawing on her deep knowledge of French culture, she has focused her professional life on crafting a fully engaging encounter that highlights the special connection between wine, cuisine, and overall well-being. With her guidance, the spa has been a trailblazer in vinotherapy, making use of the natural advantages of grapes and thermal spring water during its treatments.
We were in a conversation with Alice regarding the Spas establishment, mission and future goals. Let’s delve into it.
Can you share the story behind Les Sources de Caudalie and what inspired its creation in the spa industry?
The French Paradox is a study that shows that drinking one or two glasses of red wine a day will help to fight cardiovascular diseases. Les Sources de Caudalie, founded in 1999 is a pioneer in the wine tourism industry. In other words, the idea was to create a destination around wine.
The original idea was to showcase the wines of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, to welcome visitors at mealtimes and also to offer tourists the possibility of sleeping, said Alice Tourbier. Located in the Bordeaux vineyards, Les Sources de Caudalie brings together a 5-star hotel, a country-in restaurant, a 2 Michelin Star restaurant, and the first Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa.
What sets Les Sources de Caudalie apart from other premier spa centres? Are there specific treatments or philosophies that define your approach to wellness?
The spa at Les Sources de Caudalie is using grape and grapeseed for their anti-ageing properties. The vinotherapy associates the benefits of the wine with thermal spring water that is drowned into the ground. In other words, it offers unique treatments using the virtues of natural hot spring water with the most recent scientific discoveries of the benefits of the grape and the grapevine.
How do you ensure that each client’s experience is personalized and meets their individual needs for relaxation and rejuvenation?
Our philosophy is to offer relaxation and detox in the vineyards to our guests. Of course, we recommend our guests to drink a couple of glasses of red wine a day!
In what ways does Les Sources de Caudalie incorporate sustainability into its operations and treatment offerings?
We use natural ingredients such as grape seeds in our scrub to take away the dead cells. All the leftover from our organic vines is used: the juice of course for our great growth wine, the skin of our seeds for the polyphenol’s benefits, the stem and the stalks for anti-ageing are used in Caudalie skincare.
Les Sources de Caudalie is the first Palace to be awarded by the European Ecolabel (last Summer 2023), fruit of twenty years’ commitment to green tourism. The hotel is welcoming Hugo Clément as the patron of its Sources Académie, as a result of collective effort rooted in ongoing training.
What current trends in the wellness and spa industry do you believe are most impactful, and how is your spa adapting to these changes?
Anti-aging is a growing trend. A vine stock can live for 100 years, because vines naturally produce resveratrol to defend and regenerate themselves. We were the first to patent this natural active ingredient with firming and anti-aging properties.
We cannot ignore our environment. At Les Sources de Caudalie, it is our luxury. We are proud to be ecolabellised, which recognizes the efforts made for sustainable luxury.
Can you discuss the qualifications and training of your staff? How does their expertise contribute to the overall client experience?
It is important that our staff maintain the top level of qualifications and training. We are proud to be part of the Palaces de France which is the best distinction a French hotel can get. It is an honour to know our clients will come back for the great experience the team offers them.
How do you gather and utilize client feedback to enhance your services and offerings at the spa?
Communication is key in our industry. The clients feedback is very important to us and we make sure we take action to adjust the experiences if needed.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for Les Sources de Caudalie? Are there any new treatments or initiatives on the horizon that you can share with us?
We are opening new addresses in different wine regions in France. The Loire Valley with les Sources de Cheverny (in 2020) and soon in 2026 we will open Burgundy and Alsace.
