Sauna and Turkish baths on Lake Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva, Switzerland – Imagine exfoliating your skin with black hammam soap (olive oil and eucalyptus), relaxing in a sauna and dipping in the frigid waters of Lake Geneva before heading for fondue on the premises. This is exactly what visitors to Geneva’s Bains des Paquis experience from mid-September through April, each year.

The bains offers two mixed (women and men) saunas, one mixed steam room, one mixed hammam, one hammam for women only, hot showers and a cold lake, fondue and white wine.

Lather up in eucalyptus scented soap, exfoliate with a loofah and treat yourself to a bucket shower (warm or cold) from the water fountain in the middle of the hammam. Head to the sauna and when you have had enough heat, dip in the – frigid – waters of the Lake. Warm up quickly by stepping into the steam room and then taking a break in the “quiet room” nestled under a wool blanket. Experts recommend repeating the regimen once over for best results.

Note that bathing suits are optional thus many women prefer to go on Tuesdays when the bains are open for ladies only.

Prepare for an experience as few others in town

The use of two towels is compulsory, bring your own or rent them at CHF5 each. The entrance fee to the bath area is CHF17 .

After you work up an appetite head to the wood-heated bains’ restaurant, which offers fondue, veggies and white wine. Reservations are highly recommended.

Tel: +41 (0) 22 732 29 74.

Happy exfoliating!

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