By Thierry Piolatto
A thalassotherapy centre right on the beach
Located near Mont Saint Michel, the Prévithal centre offers health-based thalassotherapy expertise, inherited from its medical origins.
The centre started out in Le Normandy de Granville rehabilitation centre, and branched out on its own ten years ago while continuing to draw up ever more specialised treatment protocols. The centre’s unique expertise slots perfectly into this four-star hotel with 76 bedrooms, along with the Le Sound restaurant (with its “Maître Restaurateur” award-winning chef), a marine space, a thalassotherapy space, a fitness centre and in-house physio treatments.
New packages for 2026
The “Through the seasons” 6-day stay includes 24 treatments, making it the ideal package for any time of year, as the treatments are adapted to the season. In spring, it focuses on Detox and Vitality; in summer, it prioritises Rest and Escapism; in autumn, Balance and Serenity; and in winter, Warmth and Cocooning. The aim is to demineralise the body, helping you to relax and rebalance, breathe properly and tone up all year round. We also did some gentle work around seasonal aromas on our visit.
We would also like to draw your attention to the 3-day “Essential Thalasso” package, whose nine treatments go back to basics with hydromassage seawater baths, marine mud wraps and jet showers. Spa manager Carolle-Anne Coudert explains, “We wanted to put together a treatment programme that would fulfil several criteria: individual treatments only, as this appeals to guests who are less inclined to join in with group activities (aqua gym, walking, gym, etc.); thalassotherapy treatments only, so that newcomers can test its benefits and people who are already fans get what they enjoy. We wanted to offer an attractive price for a short stay, to appeal to the new generations of customer. I would say that this programme is a golden opportunity to give thalassotherapy a try.”
Back care and prophylaxis: Prévithal’s signature
The “back school”, with its on-site physiotherapist, is available to every guest. The back pain prevention workshops provide concrete solutions to preserve spine health. Through simple exercises, participants learn to correct their posture, strengthen their deep-set muscles and adopt healthier postural habits. These small group sessions offer personalised guidance to prevent back pain and improve comfort when moving. This package originated in the rehabilitation centre in Normandy and offers medically-based expertise. This posture strengthening package is combined with thalassotherapy treatments to treat back pain caused by arthritis, muscles and joints.
Anti-aging and aesthetic treatments: strong trends
A new anti-aging treatment has also made an appearance, in collaboration with the brand estime&sens’ organic range: the “estime&sens Organic dermo perfecting treatment” is a facial treatment that includes an exfoliation, a mask and a massage. The cosmeceutical brand’s expertise is combined with three anti-aging massages: Japanese lift, facial yoga and Gua sha. This treatment gives high-performance results with three associated actions: smoothing, resurfacing, plumping.
Lifting and firming silicium facial by Thalgo: pure delight
We tried the “Lifting & Firming Silicium Facial” which uses marine silicium and magnesium. It firms up the face, treats fine lines and wrinkles, and boosts radiance. Beauty therapist Charlyne explains, “We start this treatment by cleansing the skin so that it is ready to receive the active ingredients. Next comes a facial massage, then we apply a heat mask for 15 minutes. The protocol is rounded off with the application of a serum and cream. The products used are all from Thalgo’s range: exfoliator, massage balm, lotion, mask, serum, cream. The treatment lasts around 1 hour 15 minutes.”
New wellness approaches: Sophrology & Aqua-Sophrology, Qi-Gong
At Prévithal, wellness takes on multiple forms, including sophrology and Qi-Gong. This expertise helps to improve the spa clients’ serenity so that every session – whether group or individual – becomes an enhanced experience. Guided by certified sophrologists, the sessions promote release and self-connection. Held in a room or in the heated seawater pool, the sessions combine breathing, relaxation and positive visualisation to release any tension and soothe the mind. Gentle and accessible, they offer specific tools for managing stress and improving wellbeing on a daily basis. Qi-Gong is an ancestral Chinese energy-based artform that uses slow movements, deep breathing and mindful concentration. The centre’s practitioner gives participants a taste of this discipline, which stimulates the vital energy, improves flexibility and strengthens inner balance. Open to everyone, Qi-Gong provides a long-lasting feeling of harmony between mind and body.
Le Sound awakens the senses
Chef Aurélien Leclerc and second-in-command Damien Kindel are at the helm of the fully-renovated Le Sound restaurant, which is designed to offer a comprehensive and positive sensory experience. Looking out across the sea from a panoramic bay, it serves a variety of dishes that are sure to delight food lovers. A nutritionist can also be called upon to draw up a suitable nutritional guide for guests. The menu is exclusively made up of homemade dishes, with the guarantee that everything is cooked on site using fresh, seasonal ingredients, many of which are sourced locally, such as the PGI Granville whelks, Chausey lobster, clams and oysters… Try the scallops on a bed of wilted chicory with orange confit, citrus sauce and cured ham julienne, or the smoked salmon with a dill cream and watercress from the Vert Paradis farm.
Recharge with sunlight and melt into the rhythm of the tides
During your stay, take the time to explore the surrounding area. Seafood fans will know that Granville is famous for its whelks and, depending on the season, you can find some beautiful shells on the beach. The town’s historical quarter offers stunning views of the whole bay, right up to Carolles, and has a unique atmosphere with its hip boutiques and many galleries. You can also visit “Les Rhumbs”, the house where fashion designer Christian Dior was born, with its gardens and stairs leading down to one of the coastline’s most beautiful small beaches, the Promenade du Plat-Gousset. The Lude valley is also worth a visit, with its three Vauban houses. If you continue further along the beach, you can see the “end of the world” after following the road, which is submersed in high tide, where you will come across the famous salt marsh sheep in the Havre de la Vanlée. The Chausey archipelago is also a must-visit spot, with its string of islands (it is said there are as many islands as there are days in a year). Finally, no visit would be complete without a look round Mont Saint Michel (we recommend the omelettes at Mère Poulard). l
Adress: Thalasso Prévithal, Rue de l’Ermitage, 50350 Donville-les-Bains
More: previthal.com
