Historic Normandy, gastronomic Lyon, the glamorous Riviera, the wineries of Chablis and Burgundy — the list was endless, but fast-forward 13 months and I have yet to discover the country beyond its capital. Paris is a tough place to leave, but when I received an exclusive invite to check out a new hotel and spa in the Champagne region, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to pack my bags and head off to experience the vineyards and get pampered.
The original building had humble beginnings as a coaching inn, and it hosted French kings — as well an emperor, Napoleon — en route to Reims for their coronations. The hotel has been through many changes and was most recently sold to a discreet American couple who had spent many summers enjoying the wines in the region and were former guests of the property.
They searched for an architect to transform the traditional hotel into a contemporary space to accommodate both a hotel and a wellness retreat. I arrived at the hotel ready to indulge in a facial that would hopefully replump my winter-ravaged skin without aggravating my eczema, which pops up when the weather gets cold. I had done my research on Biologique Recherche, familiarizing myself with the brand's famous Lotion P50, a product that's beloved by beauty editors, celebrities, and fashion influencers alike, despite its pungent smell and the tingling it sometimes causes.
The spa is located on the lower level of the hotel, and its understated, beige-and-gray interior is accented with wood detailing and metallic mosaic tiles, which, in combination, create an aura of serenity and calm. My aesthetician whose name I forgot because, unfortunately, I'm historically awful with names led me past the cedar-scented sauna and expansive indoor pool to my treatment room, where I got undressed, climbed into the heated bed, and had my skin analyzed.
My aesthetician exuded a calmness that melted away my cynicism as we discussed my skin history and concerns. For the next hour, I would experience my first Biologique Recherche facial, which began with a gentle double cleanse using the Lait U, to take off my makeup, followed by the Lait VIP O2, to fight environmental damage and brighten my skin. Once my skin was cleansed, I could smell something vinegary, and I knew it was the aforementioned Lotion P I wanted to know what this miracle alpha-hydroxy acid blend would do for me, but my skin was too sensitive.
