With the rain pouring and a heavy mist hanging over the surrounding half snow-covered rock walls, umbrella in hand, I head to Le Havre, at BALNEA, to meet two massage therapists willing to reveal the secrets of their passion for their art.
Le Havre is a magnificent building where beautiful stone walls lead our eyes way up to massive wood beams, spanning across the mezzanine ceiling. Their imposing height creates the illusion that the rustic segments above our heads all converge to one same vanishing point. The grandiose mezzanine welcomes us in from the other end of the hallway, like a surprise slowly revealing itself. People come to Le Havre to receive massage treatments. The pavilion, once the head office of a summer camp, seems to have kept its childlike spirit, its waypoint soul.
It still has a treehouse feel to it. Today, Le Havre is a true haven devoted to quiet relaxation. The place really comes alive behind every door, where traditional and exclusive massages are given with the most attentive care.
Jimmy and Isabelle, both trained massage therapists, guide me through their universe to help me grasp its fundaments; because, indeed, their universe is very real! They start by establishing a first contact, and then with great discretion, they question their client to learn more about their needs and sensitivities. By doing so, therapists able to adapt the care they will dispense so that each client can experience a deep, truly immersive moment of relaxation. Some use prompts such as heated stones or bamboo sticks, others use essential oils with as many properties as they have aromas.
At BALNEA therapists have a lot of latitude; Here they can be very creative in their manoeuvers and each has therefore developed their own personal touch. This humanistic approach is inherent to their vision of what a massage and contact with another being should be. Especially here at Le Havre, where massages are offered to couples.
