Point Soleil

Beautifully bronzed after your vacation in Paris?  And yes, I do mean Paris, France.  Even if you plan your trip for Valentine’s Day, it’s possible with Point Soleil, a French chain of tanning salons (centres de bronzage).  With 90 salons throughout France, including 31 in Paris alone, no matter what your French destination is, you can return home beautifully tanned. The philosophy behind Point Soleil is to be as flexible as your vacation plans, schedule demands, and tanning goals.  Their salons are open 7 days a week (nearly unheard of in France, the land of “closed Sunday and Monday, bien sûr!”), open late, with appointments are not required.  The centers offer various programs, depending on your needs.  If you are like me, you need to ease into the sun before hitting the beaches of St-Tropez to avoid coming home looking like a barely cooked entrecôte.  Point Soleil has just launched a new program titled “Visa Soleil” to aid you in preparing for whatever type of sun you plan on bathing in: tropical sun (Visa Soleil Tropic), summer sun (Visa Soleil d’été) and even winter skiing sun (Visa Soleil d’hiver).  They also offer typical services to simply tan and maintain your tan after holidays.  To commence your tanning experience, you have a brief (3 minutes tops) consultation to determine your skin type, tanning tendencies and desired results.  After this, the very helpful and of course tactfully tanned staff can determine which package, machine, duration and frequency is right for you.  The “Visa Soleil” package comes with a carte bronzage, products to protect and prolong your tan, plus other little goodies depending on the package you choose.  All packages also come with a Fiche Conseil appropriate to your needs that will help you protect your skin during the time you spend in the sun or under a machine. The salons are located throughout Paris and are bright, friendly, and inviting spaces.  There is a waiting area although since each center has an average of 8 cabins (the one I visited had 12) and the duration of a session is 5 to15 minutes, you should never have to wait more than few minutes.  There are specific machines and cabins for different skin types and different needs.  The center that I visited had two machines for winter sun (just face, neck and hands), machines for sensitive skin, and a machine more claustrophobic-friendly.  Machines are equipped with a/c and are cleaned and impeccably maintained.    As with everything else about Point Soleil, payment options are flexible.  You can simply pay for your session or you can take advantage of their Carte Bronzage, which gives you more bang for your buck.  A carte purchased at 45 euros credits you with 52 euros’ worth of sessions.  You can use the carte at any of the centers throughout France.  Pas mal!  I have to admit that I was not particularly excited about the idea of visiting a tanning salon, but after talking with the staff, reading the Fiche Conseil and going through an initial consultation, I am sold on the idea.  It’s simple, easy, fast, safe and it’s much better for my skin then hitting the beaches this summer unprepared and thus damaging my skin.  Point Soleil is a great option for starting a vacation right or for coming home from your Paris vacation to show everyone that not only did you see the museums, cafés and shops of Paris, but you got a beautiful tan too.  You can tell them you got your tan relaxing in Luxembourg Gardens if you like.  I won’t tell anyone! Point Soleil(with addresses throughout France)29-31 Rue Vavin75006 ParisPhone: (33) 1 55 42 01 31Website: www.pointsoleil.com Metro Station: Notre Dame des Champs or Vavin Open: Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 9.00pm          Sunday 9.00am to 8.30pm Prices: Starting at 5 to 10 euros for 10 minutes          Cartes from 45 euros.