A heritage hotel in France embraces the spa culture

(29 Oct 2007) SHOTLIST Chateau Pizay, Pizay, France. October 12, 2007 1. Various of Chateau Pizay and its surrounding vineyards and gardens. 2. Pan down from the chapel (on the chateau's grounds) roof to people exiting the door 3. Various of the chateau 4. SOUNDBITE (French) Marie-Luce Carrayrou, Wellness expert and Manager of 'Aquareva Voyages' (a well-being travel agency): "It's a very successful industry. It's estimated that spas generate some 50 billion dollars turnover worldwide, more than one fifth in the United States. Since 2003, the sector has been growing some 30 to 32 percent globally. In France, for the past five years, annual growth has reached 61 percent. It has to be said that France was really behind when it comes to spas, as this is a country with a strong tradition of thalasso-therapy (spa treatments including massages and body wraps) and thermal baths (warm water baths)." 5. The spa pool in its glass house in the garden 6. Woman in the spa pool standing under a powerful jet of water 7. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Michel Gueguen, Hotel Manager: "We carried out a number of market studies in different sectors including the spa, and we found that all those who had opened a spa in France saw their occupancy rates increase by 10 to 20 percent already within the first year, boosting turnover." 8. Various of two people being massaged in a candle-lit room 9. Zoom in to make-up brushes 10. Pan down from woman to a jacuzzi bath. 11. Various of woman in jacuzzi 12. SOUNDBITE (French) ) Jean-Michel Gueguen, Hotel Manager: "A lot of our bookings are presents. Children buying a gift for their parents' golden anniversary or their 30th wedding anniversary for example, or parents buying their children a birthday present. We also have companies booking a spa session for clients or associates. The spa provides a new type of consumer behaviour, and opens up new perspectives for us." 13. Various of two women relaxing in a bubble pool 14. SOUNDBITE (French) Emmanuelle Bodillard, Spa Manager: "We extract polyphenol and OPC (both antioxidants) from the grapes. These antioxidants have a positive effect on blood circulation, on the skin, and produce a sense of well-being and firmness, with an anti-age and protective effect." 15. Various of therapist handling beauty products 16. SOUNDBITE (French) Marie-Luce Carrayrou, Wellness Expert: "Going to a spa is an art of living, and I like to combine it with other activities. Here we are in the Beaujolais-Burgundy region, so you can also go and visit vineyards, or get some exercise - there are a lot of cycling routes that will take you to different castles." 17. Various of a woman having a massage in a low-lit room 18. SOUNDBITE (French) Emilie Sellier, Therapist: "The colour and the music vary to create different atmospheres. So red - the first button - represents the Earth or 'Magic Earth'. The second is blue which represents water." 19. Client with changing colours in background 20. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Michel Gueguen, Hotel Manager: "It was a success thanks to the 'Architectes des Batiments de France' (a government body which intervenes in all building projects involving heritage sites), who set out the rules for building the (new spa) complex in harmony with our wine-making heritage and the castle's heritage, while making the most of the light here and the pure, healthy environment." 21. Various of women in massage pool 22. Various of women having brunch 23. Various of women in darkly-lit sauna 24. Various of women in a Turkish bath, cooling themselves with ice 25. Various of women dressed in bath robes in the resting room Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...