Healthy Parisian Living: Bringing Wellbeing to the New Year in Paris

Bento CoCoCo

Editor’s Note: Early January is the perfect time to focus on healthy living. Whether you’re recovering from the fêtes or making New Years’ goals for living a healthier life, we hope to provide inspiration and resources for being kinder to your mind and body. I hope this healthy roundup of Paris addresses helps you kick off a year of well being!

Every year, losing weight and eating healthy take the top spots of New Year’s resolution lists, even in Paris. But by the end of the month most of those get-in-shape goals have fizzled, by no means helped by the miserable weather that plagues the French capital in January. Here are a few fresh suggestions that can help you keep those healthy lifestyle resolutions.

Nottingham Trent University

Spin, don’t run. The popularity of indoor cycling is still going strong, and for a few good reasons. Spinning classes are a low impact, fun and extremely effective way of blitzing calories: expect to burn up to 650 in an hour. Dynamo was the first to pioneer New York’s SoulCycle model in Paris, followed by Let’s Ride (which has now been acquired by Dynamo), and Kiwill. There’s no shortage of studios and classes across Paris, but as the early morning sessions are often fully booked, it’s essential to sign up for the mailing list to be alerted of the new sign-up windows. SoulCycle adepts may have complained that spinning classes in Paris are more laid back than in New York, but these days all fitness levels are catered to and the more advanced sessions will leave you completely drenched in sweat. Those who fear their French may not be up to scratch to follow the instructors will appreciate the English-language classes at Kiwill on Sunday. All studios offer a free trial class and three welcome sessions for €45.

Gezy-pics

Far from the madding crowd. If your idea of getting fit doesn’t include being cooped up in a sweaty gym, check out Power Hiking Paris. This non-profit group of international hikers meet up every weekend for power hikes in the countryside around Paris, in addition to weekends away elsewhere in France and trips to more exotic locations. These hikes are no stroll in the park; be prepared to walk 27 to 32 kilometers at a brisk pace, with just a few short breaks to catch your breath. However, less-demanding 20-kilometer hikes are offered once a month for newbies and those whose fitness level is not yet up to snuff for the more demanding hikes.

Despite having to get up early on Sunday mornings and power hike in any kind of weather, members swear by the concept saying it’s an inexpensive and convivial way to burn calories and stay fit.

Sign-up is free on the group’s meetup page, with a contribution of €3 per person per hike.

Nubio

Juice power. The days when fresh juice in Paris meant a glass of citron pressé diluted with tap water are long gone. Juice bars offering cold-pressed juices, smoothies and healthy snacks have cropped up in almost every arrondissement. But Atelier Nubio, one of the early arrivals to the Parisian juice scene, remains the only one offering LA-style, comprehensive detox cures that can be home delivered. Those who aren’t tempted by the thought of a liquid diet can stock up on tasty healthy snacks like coconut bacon, watermelon jerky and probiotic dark chocolate, as well as freshly made vegetable soups and colorful salads.

Not your average bento box. Japanese-food lovers usually head to rue Sainte-Anne to satisfy their bento cravings, but those who want an even healthier option now can opt for Bento CoCoCo, a serene cafe near the Palais Royal specializing in imaginative bento boxes that are organic, gluten-free and vegan (although a meat option is also on offer daily).

To create her simple, yet imaginative dishes the Japanese owner says she’s inspired by shojin ryori, the exquisite, beautifully presented vegetarian cuisine of zen Buddhist monasteries in Japan.

Like the bentos, the equally healthy dessert menu changes daily, ranging from traditional daifuku (glutinous rice cakes filled with a sweet red-bean paste) to homemade matcha ice cream and an extraordinary saké sorbet.

 

Hammam Pacha

Ladies only. If the ubiquitous presence of croissants and chocolat à l’ancienne as comfort against the cold threaten to derail your healthy-living resolutions, try to stave off temptation by heading to Hammam Pacha, a ladies-only day spa on the Left Bank. The entrance fee allows the use of the beautifully tiled baths, steam room, sauna and a Moroccan-style lounge area where you can chill out with a glass of mint tea. Additional packages like the traditional black-soap scrub- which will leave your skin as smooth as a baby’s- and different types of massage can be purchased as a top-up or as a package, as well as access to the annexed organic café proposing a range of authentic, yet healthy, tagines.

Nubio

Dynamo Cycling – 14 Rue Saint-Augustin, 75002. By appointment only. Métro: Bourse (line 3)

Let’s Ride –  21 Rue des 3 Bornes, 75011. Open Monday to Friday 6h45 to 14h and 17h45 to 22h and Saturday and Sunday 9h15 to 14h and 16h30 to 19h30. Métro: Parmentier (line 3) +33 (0)1 84 05 81 91.

Kiwill –  27 Rue du Grand Prieuré, 75011. Open Monday to Wednesday 9h to 21h Thursday 7h to 21h Friday 9h to 21h Saturday and Sunday 10h to 20h. Métro: République (ligne 3, 5, 8, 9, 11) +33 (0)1 47 00 04 19. 

Power Hiking Paris – More information on their Facebook page.

Atelier Nubio – 4 Rue Paul Bert, 75011. Open Monday-Friday 10h to 19h. Métro: Faidherbe Chaligny (ligne 8) +33 (0) 9 84 35 51 13.

Bento CoCoCo – 35 rue Coquilliere, 75001. Open Tuesday to Friday 12h-17h, Saturday 12h to 17h and 19h to 22h. Metro: Pyramides (ligne 7 and 14) +33 (0)1 72 38 49 71.

Hammam Pacha – 17 rue Mayet, 75006. Open Monday to Friday 11h to 22h, Saturday and Sunday 10h to 19h. Métro: Duroc (ligne 13) +33 (0)1 43 06 55 55.

 

Related Links

• Trying to eat plant based this year? Check out our roundup of Paris’ Best Vegan Restaurants
• More advice on wholesome eating in Paris on the Clean Plates Guide to Healthy Eating in Paris
• Check out Vogue’s Guide to Healthy Eating Hotspots in Paris

Written by Elena Berton for HiP Paris. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, Tuscany, Umbria or Liguria? Check out Haven In.