French skincare brand Phytomer has been bringing the power of the sea to skincare for more than 40 years – and in turn its marine-based products and treatments have brought the essence of the sea to the city in spa and beauty outlets around the world.

Now Phytomer has taken a step further with the launch of its first flagship city spa in the heart of Paris. Phytomer Spa Etoile, which had its soft opening in October, occupies a prime corner location where Rue Washington meets the brand-populated Champs-Elysées, less than 50m from the iconic Arc de Triomphe.

The historic building formerly housed an independent day spa, and has now been extensively refurbished to create a calm marine oasis for stressed-out Parisians.

Phytomer’s director of sales and digital development, Tristan Lagarde says: “We felt this was the right step in our evolution. It took us a while to find the right site but eventually, we found the perfect location, building and team.”

The 250sq m spa is on two levels and offers eight treatment rooms, including one dedicated to nails, and a hair salon.

There’s also a whole-body cryotherapy chamber and a Japanese infrared sauna that will complement some of Phytomer’s skin and body treatment protocols.

Holistic approach
Breton designer Dominique Tosiani, acclaimed for his creativity in hotel design, was commissioned to create the Spa Etoile’s interiors. Lagarde says: “His task was to bring the raw, natural environment of Brittany and blend it with a more opulent look – a kind of contemporary coastal retreat meets classic Parisian salon.

“Phytomer has always brought the most fascinating elements of the sea to the forefront. Beauty that’s pure and wild.

“It can be felt in many realisations of our brand, with the choice of natural materials, combined with pure lines splashed with bright lighting and open spaces.

“At Spa Etoile, we’ve also added a baroque touch, promoting a sophisticated Parisian feel that naturally suits the building and adds a premium touch to our ‘beauty by the sea’ experience”

The new spa is situated prominently on a corner with huge windows, allowing light to flood into the open reception area.

The intense and ‘hypnotising’ Phytomer blue is in evidence throughout the spa, along with materials like natural stone and warm walnut woods.

This natural feel is offset by more classic features like bespoke Baroque wallpaper, brass fittings and ornate traditional ceiling moulds.

France-based RKF Luxury Linens has supplied the spa linens, matched to Phytomer’s brand colours, with treatment couches supplied by Lemi.

Great attention has also been paid to the therapy team’s eco-friendly uniforms, with exclusive designs from Debbie Leon of Fashionizer Spa (see boxout).

City treatments
The treatment menu has been created with city living in mind. For example, one signature treatment is the Citylife, a 60-minute facial “to de-pollute city-dwellers’ skin and revive asphyxiated and dehydrated faces”.

Lagarde adds: “Another highlight is the Phytomer Spa Etoile Ritual, a 2-hour 45-minute programme that combines an anti-ageing facial promoting instantly visible results, together with a deeply relaxing, energising body massage. All based on the power of innovative ingredients from the sea and a deep sense of manual healing.”

Alongside Phytomer’s original range of products will be its Vie Collection, a cosmeceutical brand specialising in facial protocols inspired by aesthetic medicine, to address targeted anti-ageing needs.

There are also treatments for men, and special spa packages for brides.

Lagarde says the new spa team are all therapists from the day spa that formerly occupied the building.

“We found a very passionate team working in a very busy spa who recognised exactly the needs of their clients, and who shared our vision,” he says.

Phytomer already has one highly successful, multi-award-winning spa – Phytomer Spa and Wellness – which opened at its headquarters in St Malo on the Brittany coast in 2015.

Lagarde says: “We have many senior figures from the worldwide spa industry visit us and they’re always bowled over by our integrated approach to wellness in our spa.

“We’ve had 40 years spread over three generations to truly hone our products, treatments and approach. There’s a deep sense of comfort, ritual and wellbeing to everything we offer, and our St Malo spa is a direct expression of that.”

Phytomer Spa Etoile will be an extension of this ethos, set in a high profile city location.

Lagarde says: “We’ve designed the Phytomer Spa Etoile treatment menu for those clients who don’t have time to make the 2.5 hour trip from Paris to St Malo to experience the Phytomer brand in its original setting.

“As well as serving the residents of Paris, Spa Etoile will be a valuable touchpoint for the industry to experience the Phytomer brand in all its forms.”