A trip to Paris, France for the answer to common skin problems

This story was originally titled "La Belle France" in the January 2009 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

Day 1
I arrived in Paris at 11 a.m. on a beautiful fall morning. Enjoy the day and rest up, said my hosts. So I set off to check out a few arrondissements (stores are closed on Sundays – bad for me, good for my credit cards).

I strolled my way through old, established neighbourhoods and landed on a bench in the Jardin des Tuileries, looking up at the breathtaking glass pyramid, added in 1988, that now guards the entrance to the Louvre. Sadly lacking the energy to venture inside, I started back slowly, stopping at a sidewalk café, where I ordered a fresh herb omelette with a glass of Chardonnay and watched the fashionable Parisians parading by. The last thing I remember is falling into bed in my small but elegant room at the Bedford Hotel.

Day 2
A three-hour train ride through the French countryside brought me to Vichy, known since the 17th century for its world-renowned thermal springwater with curative and dermatological properties. A result of rainwater flowing through rocks in an underground journey of many kilometres, these waters originate from five separate springs, and boast minerals proven to have a calming, buffering effect on the skin. As well, they reinforce the skin's defence system, which helps prevent wrinkles.

Touring the delightful town, with its mix of belle epoque and art nouveau architecture, it’s very easy to imagine Napoleon III "taking the cure," as he is reported to have done in 1860. In those days, the waters were known more for their ability to cure ailments such as arthritis, and diseases of the gallbladder and liver. While still used in medical treatments, the waters also provide beauty benefits. That's what I'm here for!

Day 3
I presented my flip-flopped, terry-cloth-robed self at the Vichy Laboratoires L'Institut, adjacent to my hotel. After a tour, a technician analyzed my skin with the help of a state-of-the-art Dermo-Analyzer, developed by scientists at L'Oréal (Vichy’s parent company).

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