An invigorating thalassotherapy cure

Monastir means guaranteed sunshine just 2h30 from Paris, with the added bonus of a complete change of scenery. The thalassos on the coast, whether in Port El Kantaoui, Sousse, Monastir or Mahdia, offer treatments and an environment comparable in quality to those in France, and for a price that is still around 20% cheaper. On certain dates, you can treat yourself to transport, accommodation and a cure in a 5-star local-standard hotel for the price of a 3-star hotel in France.

Tunisia benefits from recognised expertise, and its centres are worthy heirs to the Roman thermal baths of Carthage. To differentiate thalassotherapy from balneotherapy, remember that a thalassotherapy centre uses 'fresh' seawater pumped from the sea, whereas balneotherapy treatments recreate a marine environment by adding salt and powdered algae to fresh water. Architects and decorators create sumptuous atmospheres and refined settings in the common areas: relaxation rooms, hammams and herbal tea rooms.

The centres offer à la carte treatments or packages of 2, 4, 6, 10 and 12 days. Try the four-treatment discovery day to get a feel for the facilities.

The 4-star Hasdrubal Thalassa&Spa Port El Kantaoui boasts a huge thalassotherapy centre, just like its cousins in Yasmine Hammamet and Djerba, belonging to the same Hasdrubal hotel group. It's a 5,500 m² temple to well-being, with two seawater pools: one indoor and one outdoor, in addition to the hotel's own huge swimming pool. No fewer than 28 cabins occupy the wet zone, where you can enjoy the benefits of hydro-massage, algotherapy, jet showers, rosemary body wraps, etc. The dry zone, with its 18 cabins, is the realm of world massages (especially Thai) and aromatherapy. Hammam, sauna, herbal tea room, beauty area (10 cubicles), hairdressing and fitness complete the offer, with the must-have private spa!

The Royal Kenz Hôtel Thalasso, 4*, is a Garden of Eden with traditional Arab-Moorish architecture set in magnificent gardens in the seaside resort of Port El Kantaoui in Tunisia. From your balcony, you can admire the sea, the pool and the garden planted with palm trees, olive trees and bougainvillea, where you can smell the scent of orange blossom and jasmine. Finally, head to the thalassotherapy's saltwater pool for some well-deserved relaxation.

The Royal Thalassa Monastir (formerly Radisson Blu Resort) is now a 5* hotel. Head for Skanès, Monastir's seaside resort next to the airport. The superb Royal Elyssa thalassotherapy centre is world-renowned: it must be said that it covers 16,500 m²! It's said to be one of the most beautiful centres in the world... Brand names include Eric Zemmour (not the polemicist, but the prestigious hairdressing and beauty brand), Thal'Ion for thalassotherapy (a Breton brand, the crème de la crème), and L'Usine (a well-known brand for fitness and getting back into shape).

Finally, let's head further south to Mahdia, to the Iberostar Royal El Mansour, a top-of-the-range resort with a beautiful thalasso, bordering a dream beach just 1 km from the charming citadel of Mahdia. It is quite simply the best located, the closest to Mahdia's medina and the most upmarket hotel in the whole area! The L'Olympe thalassotherapy centre is open from 9am to 12.30pm and from 2.30pm to 7pm, and access is subject to a charge of 20 dinars (around €7) for one hour. It houses a seawater thermal circuit heated to 30°C under a dome, with bubbling baths and two swan necks. You can admire two beautiful mosaics depicting the sea god Poseidon (Neptune in Roman times), reproductions of which are in the Bardo museum in Tunis. There is a relaxation area with a fountain and herbal tea room, a lovely traditional hammam, a sauna, a hydromassage bath, an affusion shower and eight treatment and massage rooms, including a double one for couples. The menu includes seaweed wraps, heated blankets, Ayurvedic, hot stone, Balinese, Oriental, Shiatsu and Thai massages, using cosmetics from French brand Phytomer. There's even a cavitosonic room with seaweed-scented sea air!

Built on the superb long beach of Mahdia, the Thalassa Mahdia Aquapark has its feet in the water. Offered on an all-inclusive basis, this human-sized resort with quality entertainment ticks all the boxes of a good holiday club in Tunisia: waterslides, thalassotherapy, mini-club, beautiful pools, dream beach, wide choice of restaurants and Moorish café. An ideal address for all the family. The 1,200 m² thalassotherapy centre is spread over three levels and includes ten treatment and massage rooms, one of which is a double room for couples, a traditional hammam, a sauna, a beauty cabin, a beauty salon, a hydromassage bath, a relaxation area, a seawater bio trail heated to 32° with whirlpool baths and swan necks under an illuminated dome, a relaxation area with a herbal tea room and a gym with Technogym equipment. The menu includes seaweed wraps, heated blankets, jet showers, affusion showers, oriental massages, hot stone massages and shiatsu, using local, traditional and organic cosmetics.