Spas in France

Invest in a Spa for a healthy lifestyle

The history of Spa's

Legend has it that Blalud the father of King Lear discovered the therapeutic properties of Bath's hot springs in the ninth century BC. The Romans obviously agreed when they invaded because they built baths on the site in about 50 AD.

The Saxons - never bothered to much about washing and being clean - destroyed the baths some 500 years later! But in the Middle Ages the baths were restored and by 1650 Bath was famous across Europe. At about the same time the Belgian city that gave us the word "Spa" was becoming famous for its mineral springs.

The development that made the modern home spa popular was the "Jacuzzi" whirlpool pump that was placed in a normal bath tub and produced a blend of air and water that flowed around the body producing a vigorous hydro-massage. Later bath tubs were designed ergonomically to fit the body contours.

The difference between a modern bath tub and a Spa is that the bath is filled with fresh water for every use , whereas a Spa has a filtration and heater system that allows the same water to be used continuously.

The wooden hot tub was really the beginning of the modern Spa and started in California in the early 1960's using modified half barrels from wine or whiskey production.

The timber tub approach was improved but was never really satisfactory because they kept falling apart and so the modern Spa made from synthetic materials evolved into the highly sophisticated piece of equipment that we know today.

They can be put indoors or outside and are suited to just about every environment - unlike swimming pools that need an ambient temperature of over 20 degrees C before they can be comfortably used.

How Spas can improve the health and lifestyle of your family

Why get a fancy spa as opposed to one with fewer or smaller pumps and fewer jets? The more options, the better your chance of finding comfort and satisfaction for the whole family. Not every jet pattern in every location of a given spa will please everyone. Some will feel only OK; others will work wonders. Someone else in your family might find the greatest comfort in the position you like the least. The more options you have, the better served you and your family will be. Spas are now available with up to three motors - just to pump water through the jets. Multiple controls and multiple compartments make it possible for one person in the family to have a vigorous massage while others can enjoy other options.

Owning a spa or hot tub has been attributed with many positive aspects. But none may be more important than the quality time that you and your friends and family spend together enjoying the relaxing waters of your Spa. Owning your own spa is the perfect compliment when entertaining family and friends. Hot tub and spa ownership and Hydrotherapy have been positively linked to the following health care issues:

Stress Related Conditions - Owning a spa is the perfect antidote for stress. The warm water combined with a soothing massage helps relieve anxiety, chronic headaches and high blood pressure and also relaxes tense muscles due to stress.

Sleep Benefits - Relaxing in hot water before bedtime can promote a natural and deeper sleep using the body's own chemistry.

Diabetes Benefits - It has been suggested that sitting in a hot tub over a specific period of time improved the patients' diabetes condition as it lowers blood sugar levels and boosts general well being.

Arthritis and Pain Relief - Hydrotherapy is one of the more popular treatments for arthritis, athletic, joint and muscle pain relief. Restoring and preserving strength it also protects joints from further strain. The warm water works to make collagen tissue more stretchable so movement can resume with less pain and helps restore your range of motion

.What features should you look out for?

An airtight spa cover is essential. A good one reduces energy loss when the spa isn't in use and a locking top will keep energy in and toddlers out.

Solid insulation between the spa and the skirt. Fully insulated units are more energy-efficient.

A built-in ozonator can reduce the amount of chemicals needed to kill bacteria in the water. If you are allergic to chlorine or bromine, an ozonator can be used in conjunction with silver, which is a natural bactericide.

Two filters are better than one. Units with multiple filters clean faster and better.

Look at the horsepower of the pumps, the number of jets, the number of controls and the number of stations. These are key elements to comfort in a spa.

How the all year potential use of a Spa could extend the letting season of your gites or Chambres d'Hotes.

Any size of Spa can be integrated into a lanscaping, decking or patio project and can be either a focal point or simply part of the ambience of the surroundings.

If you do a lot of outdoor entertaining or have guests - paying or otherwise they can enjoy a good soak and then enjoy their meals. The sound of bubbling water is always relaxing.

Your paying guests will also be more relaxed using an outdoor Spa because they are not embarrassed when the surrounding area gets wet as they may be with an indoor installation.

With a moderate climate such as in SW France a Spa will be usable nearly all year round without excessive heating bills.

The differences between a swimming pool and a Spa

Some of these have been summarised in the following table: