A first thermal cure can feel a little daunting. You know you'll be away for three weeks, that there will be treatments in the morning… but what does that really mean, day to day? What time? What exactly do they do to you? This guide answers all of that — not the paperwork (that's in our guide to spa cures in Gréoux), but the lived experience: a real day in the life of a spa-goer.
It was written in Gréoux-les-Bains, 500 metres from the Thermes, by a family who have welcomed spa-goers for over fifty years. We've heard the same questions hundreds of times — so we know the small things that make a first cure go smoothly.
How a thermal cure actually works
A conventional thermal cure is 18 days of treatments spread across three weeks. As the Thermes de Gréoux close on Sundays, you attend six days out of seven: you usually arrive on a Saturday or Sunday and leave on the Saturday of the third week.
Each day you receive a short series of treatments — typically four, prescribed and tailored to your condition. They take place in the morning, on a time slot allocated to you for the whole stay. The rest of the day is yours.
Gréoux specialises in two areas: rheumatology (joints, arthritis, chronic pain) and respiratory conditions (ENT, airways). Some people do both. A third programme, dedicated to recovery after breast cancer, completes the offer.
A typical day as a spa-goer
Early start. Most spa-goers begin between 7 and 9 am. You arrive in comfortable clothes, with your treatment bag and your spa card. A member of staff greets you and points you to your first treatment.
One treatment after another. Your four treatments flow gently over two to three hours, with time to change and rest in between. The staff guide you from room to room — you have nothing to organise, it's all laid out on your programme.
Late morning. Once you're done, you head back to rest. Many spa-goers take it easy afterwards: the body has worked, even if it never felt strenuous.
The afternoon is yours. This is the real charm of a cure in Gréoux: your afternoons are free. A market, a stroll through the village, a nap in the shade of the cypress trees, or a day out in the Verdon and Provence for those with the energy.
The treatments, in plain English
Thermal treatments sound mysterious until you've tried them. Here are the main ones, in plain language. They're valued for easing pain and loosening stiff joints — and never ask anything uncomfortable of you.
For rheumatology
- Baths: immersion in 42 °C thermal water, often with massaging jets that relax the muscles.
- Showers: a soothing all-over shower, or a firmer jet shower aimed at the sore areas.
- Mud and kaolin wraps: warm thermal clay applied locally (knee, back, shoulder) for its pain-relieving effect.
- The weightless kaolin bath: lying in a dense white clay, you literally float. A one-of-a-kind sensation, unique to Gréoux.
- Pool mobilisation: gentle walking and exercises in a thermal pool at around 34 °C, supervised by staff.
- Underwater massage: a therapist works on you while a jet of thermal water relaxes you deeply.
For the respiratory tract
- Aerosols and steam inhalations: you breathe in a fine mist of thermal water that soothes the airways.
- Sprays and nasal douches: thermal water gently cleanses and clears the nose and throat.
- Gargles and irrigations: quick, simple ENT treatments valued for clearing the sinuses.
Your first day in Gréoux
The spa doctor's appointment. Before your treatments start, you must see one of the Thermes' spa doctors — this is compulsory. They review your situation, approve your treatment programme and tailor it to your condition. Book this appointment early: the first slots of the season fill up fast.
Your programme. You then receive your treatment card with your times, your morning slot and the running order. If you're in the French system, keep the reimbursement forms from your health fund safe — the forfait thermal slip is handed to the Thermes on day one.
Getting your bearings. Use this first day to find your way to the Thermes. From Le Clos des Oliviers it's a 500-metre walk along a flat, shaded avenue — six easy minutes, even when the aches are still there. To plan your journey, see our guide on getting to Gréoux.
What to pack for treatments
The Thermes usually provide the bathrobe, bath towel and treatment sandals. The rest is up to you. The simplest approach: pack a small “treatment bag” once and take it every morning.
In your treatment bag
- A swimming costume (essential for the baths and pool)
- A swimming cap (sometimes compulsory)
- Your own non-slip sandals — safer than the provided flip-flops
- A water bottle — the warmth of the treatments is dehydrating
- A small wash bag and something to tidy your hair
- A plastic bag for your damp costume on the way home
For the stay in general
- Any medication and prescriptions you're taking
- Your health documents (and, if applicable, French health-fund forms)
- Comfortable clothes and layers — mornings can be cool, afternoons warm
Making the most of your three weeks
The famous “thermal crisis”. Towards the end of the first week or the start of the second, many spa-goers feel a marked tiredness, sometimes a flare-up of aches. Don't worry: it's a normal reaction to the treatments and eases within a few days. The right response: ease off, sleep more and drink plenty of water.
A gentle pace. A cure isn't an activity holiday. Drink lots of water, eat lightly, turn in early. Having a kitchenette in your accommodation changes everything: you cook simple, wholesome meals at your own pace, without being tied to restaurant hours.
Filling your afternoons, without overdoing it. The Thursday-morning market, a wander through the old village, a coffee on a terrace, the residence garden… And on stronger days, the Verdon Gorges and the Valensole plateau are within easy reach. The ideal: alternate rest and gentle outings.
The benefits build afterwards. It's often in the weeks following your return that you feel the effects of the cure most. Many of our spa-goers come back every year — a sign that it's well worth the trip.
Our tips, from the residence
After more than fifty years welcoming spa-goers, we have a fairly clear idea of what really matters for a first cure to go well:
- Being close to the Thermes: a 500-metre walk means no car every morning and no parking stress.
- A proper kitchenette: to eat lightly, at your own pace, throughout the three weeks.
- Peace and quiet: a restful setting, essential when the body is working.
- Independence: a flexible, self-check-in arrival — and someone on hand if you need it.
That's exactly what we offer at Le Clos des Oliviers: eleven studios and one apartment, set in leafy grounds, a few minutes from the Thermes.
FAQ — Your most common questions
Are treatments in the morning or the afternoon?
At Gréoux, the vast majority of treatments take place in the morning, on a time slot allocated to you for the whole three weeks. Your afternoons stay free. A few respiratory treatments may occasionally fall later in the day, depending on the schedule.
How long do the treatments take each day?
Allow roughly two to three hours in the morning for your four daily treatments, including changing and short rests in between. The pace is deliberately gentle — you never rush from one to the next.
Is a thermal cure tiring?
Many spa-goers feel a distinct dip in energy around the second week — the French call it the “thermal crisis”. It's a normal reaction to the treatments and passes within a few days. The best response: rest, drink plenty of water and keep your afternoons light.
Do I need to be able to swim?
No. The mobilisation pools are shallow — you keep your footing, hold the rails, and staff supervise the exercises. Water-walking and gentle mobilisation are designed to be accessible to everyone, including those with reduced mobility.
I'm not covered by French healthcare — can I still come?
Yes. The French social-security reimbursement only applies to people in the French system. If that's not you, you can still book the treatments privately, either as a full cure or as a shorter “mini-cure” of around six days — a lovely wellness break in its own right. Contact the Thermes directly to arrange it.
What if I miss a treatment session?
Let the Thermes know as early as possible. An occasional absence for health reasons can sometimes be rearranged, but a conventional cure assumes you follow most of the prescribed programme. If anything comes up, the spa doctor is your point of contact.
How do I spend my afternoons?
The village is walkable: the Thursday-morning market, the Templar castle, cafés and small shops. For livelier days, the Verdon Gorges, the Valensole lavender plateau and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie are all under 40 minutes away. The ideal is to alternate rest and gentle outings.
In short
A first cure in Gréoux, seen from the inside, is:
- 18 days of treatments across three weeks, six mornings a week
- Four treatments per morning, gentle and staff-guided — and free afternoons
- Treatments open to everyone, no swimming required
- A gentle pace: hydrate, rest, and don't over-fill your days
- Benefits that often build in the weeks after you get home
The secret to a good first cure: the right accommodation — close and quiet — and a willingness to let the rhythm carry you.
Plan your first cure at Le Clos des Oliviers
Our family has welcomed spa-goers to Gréoux-les-Bains for over fifty years. Le Clos des Oliviers is a residence of twelve accommodations (eleven studios and one three-room apartment) in a calm, leafy setting, 500 metres from the Thermes, with free parking, fitted kitchens and on-site reception.
A first cure deserves to be prepared calmly — and we know Gréoux inside out. Do get in touch, even simply to ask a question.
📍 Address: 776 avenue des Thermes, 04800 Gréoux-les-Bains, France
📞 Phone: +33 4 92 70 62 00
✉️ Email: info@leclosdesoliviers.fr