Fruititherapy in France

Jean Garnier, nutrition and aesthetics expert, meets Nick Hordern and Frances Barnes to talk about his interest in small red berries – raspberries, cassis, strawberries, and redcurrants – which abound in the region of Burgundy, France. Raspberries, cassis, strawberries, and redcurrants – are packed with anti-oxidants, vitamins and trace elements which he had studied in his work.  For millions of years the digestive tract of our nomadic human ancestors knew only wild berries and tubers.  If their survival depended on this diet then, how much more in a sedentary job in this fast food age, could we reap the benefits that red berries had to offer.  Convinced these fruits could form the basis of a unique health regime and youth-boosting treatments, the charming Garnier dreamed of creating a luxury Spa in the heart of the vineyards. A Burgundian born and bred, when the beautiful Chateau de Citeaux came on to the market, Jean saw a way to realise his vision, which he now practices and patents as 'Fruititherapy', with a range of products. The result is the newly opened La Cueillette, a hotel and Spa resort nestling amid vines in the charming medieval village of Meursault. Alongside the elegant chateau constructed nearly a century and a half ago, is a purpose-built, up-to-the-minute Spa complex, over 450 sq. metres of swimming pool, hammam, sauna, Jacuzzi, fully-equipped gym and treatment rooms.

[quote]"The Spa is not an 'add-on' or a fashionable accessory", Garnier explains. "It is the hub of La Cueillette and the main focus for our visitors who are seeking relaxation and a restorative regime when they visit us."[/quote]

Treatments on offer include Fruititherapy massages, wraps and beauty masks, based on the core use of the age-defying red Burgundy berries.  "I sampled the Grand Cru Monopole," says Frances, "a delicious two-hour treatment of exfoliation and wrap, which involved being covered in a gloopy mix of organic blackcurrant, grape  seed oil and honey, with a massage to finish.  It was both invigorating and hydrating and left my skin feeling soft and glowing."  Also on offer are made to measure packages focussed on slimming or anti-ageing. In the chateau itself, the gilded La Cueillette Dining Room with its ceiling decoration is a restored work of art, complete with frescoes, ornamental woodwork and authentic Aubusson tapestries. The 19th-century chateau is built over magnificent Cistercian 12th-century cellars with lofty barrel-vaulted ceilings. Secret passages, endless cobblestoned floors vanishing into darkness and a vast expanse make the cellars an ideal venue to hire for events and tastings, and lead to Le Potager, an intimate bistro where diners can enjoy, perhaps, a boeuf bourguignon by a roaring fire in the huge stone chimneypiece in the chateau's former kitchen.  Accompanying our meal of osso buco and trout, we drank a delicious Vieux Clos du Chateau de Citeaux, from the vineyards by our bedrooms.  The gastronomic restaurant, La Cueillette, with its sumptuous setting, leads to a balustrated terrace overlooking the park and Meursault's 15th-century church, the menus all orchestrated by Michelin-starred chef, Laurent Couturier. Vegetarians welcomed. All meals are sourced from local organic suppliers and fresh from the chateau's own vegetable garden. [Gastronomic Restaurant La Cueillette – menus from 50E; Bistro Le Potager – from 22E]. GETTING THERE Brittany Ferries 0871 244 1400  www.brittanyferries.com Overnight cross-channel service from Portsmouth to Caen.  We broke the 550km car journey to Beaune, Burgundy at Evreux's newly renovated 4-star Best Western Hotel President, Pascal Vivier, Manager, Patricia Marie, Blvd de Normandie, 2700 Evreux. Tel: + 33 (0)2 32 38 77 77 www.bw-evreux.com Rooms start at 77.10 Euros. Office de Tourisme de Beaune www.beaune-tourisme.fr