A luxurious oasis, a haven of peace and rest in the middle of Paris? Yes, such a place exists and is located in a small street in the Montorgueil district: O’Kari, luxury hammam. Located in the cellars of a listed mansion, this hammam exclusively reserved for women transports us to the borders of Algeria. Far from the usual Parisian hammams, each client is taken in hand individually for a tailor-made cocooning only by appointment. It is also possible to go there in small groups to celebrate a special occasion, the place being privatized for half a day.
Let’s push the door of 22 rue Dussoubs and enter a small courtyard. At the back is the hammam. Let’s ring the bell and the door opens, the friendly atmosphere of the place welcomes us. The director Karima Lasfar comes to meet us and takes us to the changing rooms.
Baudelaire’s invitation to travel then takes on its full meaning: there, everything is order and beauty, luxury, calm and pleasure. The ancestral ritual of the hammam can begin, let us transport in the regions of Ghardaïa and Timimoun of the Algerian south.
Karima first invites us to taste a green tea with mint and small traditional pastries, in a small lounge bar where are exposed Algerian photographers. Karima is inexhaustible about her photos and already takes us there in the desert. The hammam is a culture that Karima wishes to share with us by telling us personal anecdotes about the hammam and oriental treatments. We are already disconnected from the outside world.
Then we finally enter this temple of well-being. Special care has been taken with the place in surprisingly soothing sandy tones. A magnificent fountain sits in the middle of the scrub room, constantly reminding us of an oasis in the desert. Unique pieces, such as amphoras and vases found by Karima, reinforce the authenticity of the approach and the impression of a change of scenery. The Roman baths are not far away.
The ritual begins with a steam bath with eucalyptus to eliminate toxins, vascularize the body and relax the muscles. Karima reproduces ancestral gestures to show us how to slightly cool the hot stone in order to sit down and leaves us in the care of a member of her team. On the ceiling, small colored lights light up here and there and the water is reflected. The void is made. Once the skin is properly prepared and the body is sufficiently warm, an exfoliation with black soap and a thorough scrubbing to remove dead skin on hot stone tables follows. The products used are all natural and are also available for sale. Soaping is done with natural soap scented with olive oil.
Not to mention the deliciously relaxing almond massage shampoo. A scalp massage is performed and combined with a neck massage absolutely prodigious. All tensions disappear, replaced by a feeling of intense relaxation and a sense of privilege.
A whirlpool bath ends the session and restores the tone while allowing you to maintain the relaxation you have acquired. A lemonade lightly flavored with orange blossom accompanies us. A small room at the end of the room offers massages with essential oils.
A real change of scenery, you feel rejuvenated.
Oriental luxury to offer yourself or to be offered.
90€ the discovery package
150€ for a two hour package
http://o-kari.com/hammam-paris/
O’KARI
22 Dussoubs Street
75002 Paris
Marie-Odile Radom
Cette publication est également disponible en : Français (French)
