A Women Only Spa Retreat in the South of France

The Melange option begins with an assessment of your current stress levels and a review of your diet and exercise habits. We then offer a combination of spa and beauty treatments to help you relax and unwind. Once you add our escorted day trips and our fun 'Self-Discovery' session with our counselor, the Melange program is a recipe for relaxation and fun.

An important part of our weight management program are the 'Food & Feelings' sessions. Led by our experienced counselor, each session explores a different topic allowing you to make links between your eating behavior and related past and present life experiences.

Eating well is important for optimal fitness. We measure your metabolic rate as part of your initial assessment and will therefore plan your meals in order to maximize your likelihood of keeping to your regime.

Locally grown fruits and vegetables, organic meats, and farm fresh milk and cheese form the basis of our spa menu. We serve a variety of Salades Composées, as well as more traditional dishes such as Confit de Canard with Flageolet Beans and Cassoulet with Pain de Campagne. For our vegetarian guests, you will love our Gratin with Cepes, Mushroom and Hazelnut Risotto, or our hearty Carrot and Orange Soup.

We also offer a two day Detox Plan which is an organic, low fat diet combining raw and steamed foods. The Detox Plan is designed for people who are feeling overwhelmed by pressure and who have resorted to poor self care. If you have not been looking after body as you should, our Detox Plan is aimed at realigning your energy and refocusing your mind.

Our specially selected group of treatments are designed to purify, heal and relax your body and mind. Depending on your inclination, you may choose one of our Melange Options for each week of your stay.

Melange Option One - If you are prone to cellulite and fatty deposits on the stomach, bottom and/or thighs we suggest The Arc House Fat Attack. The Fat Attack is a 2-hour anti cellulite treatment involving massage with 5 anti lipid products and a thermal body wrap.

Melange Option Two - If you are around a lot of pollutants, such as smoke, alcohol, caffeine or exhaust fumes, or if you suffer from coughs and colds, we suggest our Lymphatic Drainage Massage and our Reflexology Massage. The Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a whole body massage that improves your circulation and cleanses your system. The Reflexology massage involves manipulation of points on your feet in order to improve the function of a variety of organs in your body.

Melange Option Three (The Cocoon I &II) - This is a specially designed two hour head to toe treatment combining heating pads and alignment therapy. Our therapist expertly manipulates your body's energy channels while soothing muscles into a relaxed state. Cocoon I & II are different applications. Cocoon I helps to ease depression and improve energy levels. Cocoon II has a calming influence and elevates your mood.

A typical day at the Arc House may include the following:

9:15 a.m. - Breakfast

Enjoy a traditional European breakfast which includes a choice of French breads with fruit preserves, yogurt, seasonal fresh fruit and cereals.

10:00 a.m. - Morning Fitness

Nature walks or body conditioning

11:30 a.m. - Food and Feelings Work Time

Topics may include, 'Personal Relationships and my Weight', 'Why do I Need to Eat to Lose Weight?', 'Learning to Say No!', 'Assertion Skills and my Weight', 'Weight and Metabolism', and 'Exploring my Body Image Issues'.

1:00 p.m. - Lunch

Selections of lean meats, steamed fish, omelets, pizza, and organically grown salads and vegetables.

3:00 p.m. - Individual Sessions/Afternoon Fitness

Pre-arranged individual sessions with your counselor or a supervised session in the gym to include exercise on the Lifecycle and CYBEX weight circuit.

4:00 p.m. - Melange Option

6:00 p.m. - Relax in our 'Salle de Detente'

Take a steam, sauna or a balnéo session.

7:00 p.m. - Dinner

A three course nutritious, gourmet meal with wine and laughter!

8:00pm - Evening Activities

Watch a movie in your room, take a walk in the village or simply relax and enjoy an extended chat with other guests. Don't stay up too late though; you may need to get up early to go sightseeing in the beautiful Midi- Pyrenees region.