"On a privileged marine site, thalassotherapy is the combined use, under
medical supervision and with a curative or preventive purpose, of the benefits
of the marine environment, including the marine climate, seawater, marine mud,
seaweed, sand and other substances extracted from the sea."
Although the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used mud baths, the benefits
of the sea were somewhat neglected in France until the 19th century. The term
thalassotherapy was born in 1867, composed of Greek words by Doctor de la
Bonnardière, in Arcachon, one of Aquitaine’s famous
seaside resorts.
Initially, thalassotherapy was practised for strictly medical purposes,
for example for functional rehabilitation. Today, although thalassotherapy
is still prescribed by doctors, it is also a cure used simply to relax the
body rather than to treat it. In the range of programmes on offer, there is
something for everyone – men, women, young mothers, senior citizens…
Anglet:
