What Thermes de Saujon does

Thermes de Saujon is a French thermal spa station founded in 1864 and located in Saujon, Charente-Maritime, operating under the legal structure SA à directoire and led by psychiatrist Dr. Olivier Dubois. It is the only French thermal establishment exclusively specialized in psychosomatic medicine, treating conditions including anxiety disorders, burn-out, depression, insomnia, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue, with more than 4,000 patients undergoing 3-week conventionnée cures annually. The core offering is the Cure Thermale Conventionnée Psychosomatique, an 18-day medically prescribed program reimbursed by Assurance Maladie, leveraging naturally sourced thermal water rich in lithium, magnesium, and calcium to balance the autonomic nervous system.

The business is differentiated by the École Thermale du Stress, founded in 2012, which uniquely combines thermal treatments with psychoeducational group workshops, individual psychological interviews, and wellness activities targeting stress, burnout, sleep disorders, fibromyalgia, and benzodiazepine withdrawal (SPECTh protocol). Supporting products include the Spa Thermal Philae for non-covered wellness services, on-site accommodation in two residences (Les Thermes and La Source), and a portfolio of specialized programs (Stages) priced €260-€400. Revenue mechanics are diversified across regulated conventionnée tariffs, unregulated program fees, accommodation, and ancillary workshops, with physician referrals serving as the primary distribution channel.

The company has invested in clinical credibility through Inserm-coordinated studies (SPECTh, STOP TAG) demonstrating efficacy against standard antidepressants and five-year durable outcomes, and has secured CNAM validation for new indications including adolescents, breast cancer survivors, and benzodiazepine withdrawal. It holds AQUACERT sanitary certification and received the 1st European Innovation Prize. Distribution is exclusively domestic and on-site at the single Saujon facility; no public funding rounds, acquisitions, or geographic expansion beyond France are evident in the source material.

Name

Thermes de Saujon

Legal name

SA à directoire Thermes de Saujon

Website

https://thermes-saujon.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1864

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Thermes de Saujon is a French thermal spa founded in 1864, exclusively specialized in psychosomatic medicine and mental health. It treats 4,000+ patients annually via 3-week conventionnée thermal cures reimbursed by French health insurance, complemented by the École Thermale du Stress psychoeducational programs for anxiety, depression, and burnout.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Thermal Healthcare and Wellness Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydrotherapy & Thermal Spa Services (Sauna/Steam/Hot Tubs) (HSALAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mindfulness & Mental Wellbeing Experiences (Stress Management, Sleep Retreats, Coaching) (THAJAHAH), Sauna & Steam Bath Facilities (HSADAKAC), Hot/Cold Contrast Therapy (Hot Tubs, Plunge Pools & Hydrotherapy) (HSADAKAD), Spa & Massage Services (Day Spas, Massage Studios, Treatment Packages) (THAJAHAC)

Keywords

• Thermal therapy services
• Psychosomatic medicine
• Mental health treatment
• Hydrotherapy spa
• Stress management programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Saujon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Thermal Cure Treatments (Conventionnée): Government-funded thermal treatments covered by French social security/health insurance. Treatment tariffs are regulated and fixed by health authorities. The cure must be prescribed by a physician and lasts 18 consecutive days. Revenue is partially covered by Assurance Maladie with potential patient co-pays.
2. Specialized Programs (École Thermale du Stress): Non-refundable specialized programs offered alongside thermal cures. Programs include burnout, stress management, sleep disorders, fibromyalgia, benzodiazepine withdrawal, and meditation. These generate additional revenue per participant (260€ to 400€ per program).
3. Spa and Wellness Services: Spa Thermal Philae offers afternoon spa access and mini-cures for non-covered wellness treatments. Revenue from beauty and relaxation services outside the medical cure framework.
4. On-site Accommodation: Two on-site residences (Les Thermes and La Source) offer accommodation to cure participants. Revenue from lodging services with potential discounts for multi-night stays.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Thermes de Saujon operates a thermal spa station delivering 18-day conventionalized thermal cures for psychosomatic conditions (anxiety, burn-out, depression, insomnia, fibromyalgia, post-traumatic stress) using naturally-sourced Saujon thermal water combined with the proprietary École Thermale du Stress psychoeducational program. Treatments require a physician prescription and are partially covered by French social security, with supplementary paid programs, workshops, on-site accommodation, and the Spa Thermal Philae offering wellness services to non-prescribed visitors.

Product overview

Thermes de Saujon is a thermal health resort offering a comprehensive portfolio of psychosomatic thermal treatments centered on its core Cure Thermale Conventionnée Psychosomatique (3-week conventionalized thermal cure). The establishment is complemented by the Spa Thermal Philae for beauty and wellness services, and the unique École Thermale du Stress providing psycho-educational programs for stress, burn-out, depression, sleep disorders, fibromyalgia, and benzodiazepine withdrawal. Additional offerings include specialized stages (programs) ranging from 5 days to 3 weeks, health workshops (Pilates, Tai Chi, Sophrology, Qi Gong), psychological consultations, and on-site accommodation. The company also offers shorter-format mini-cures and a 10-day medicalized program for active professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• École Thermale du Stress: Specialized psychoeducational programs for stress management, benzodiazepine withdrawal, and mental health conditions, founded in 2012
• Spa Thermal Philae

Products and services

• Cure Thermale Conventionnée Psychosomatique An 18-day conventionalized thermal cure for psychosomatic conditions including anxiety, burn-out, depression, insomnia, and fibromyalgia, requiring physician prescription and partially reimbursed by French Assurance Maladie. Combines thermal water hydrotherapy with medical supervision and psychoeducational support at the Saujon station.
• Spa Thermal Philae

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of patients find the thermal cure + École Thermale program as effective or more effective than medication
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partnership for clinical studies on thermal cure efficacy. Inserm-coordinated trial demonstrated that conventionnée psychosomatic thermal cure surpasses standard antidepressant for anxiety disorders. Five-year follow-up study published.
• CNAM (Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie)coreOthersFrench national health insurance body that validates and partially reimburses thermal cure treatments. The SPECTh benzodiazepine withdrawal program is validated and supported by CNAM. New programs for adolescents and breast cancer survivors receive CNAM approval.
• Groupe MédéricminorOthersHealth insurance group that supports and partners with the SPECTh benzodiazepine withdrawal program at the station.
• CNAM (Caisse Nationale d'Assurance Maladie) - Adolescent Program ValidationcoreOthersCNAM validated the specific thermal cure program for adolescents and young adults experiencing psychological distress, allowing coverage for this new population segment.
• DouzeFOISparANminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with patient association for the 2023 endometriosis/adenomyosis stage program, offering a 3-week program dedicated to women suffering from these conditions.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Thermes de Bagnères-de-Bigorre: Thermal station in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine/Occitanie region offering conventionnée cures for psychosomatic and rheumatologic conditions. Comparable in therapeutic orientation and regional French thermal-cure model.
• Grands Thermes de Bourbonne: Historic French thermal station (~150+ years) offering cure conventionnée for rheumatology and post-treatment indications, with on-site accommodation. Comparable as a long-established, single-site thermal operator reliant on social security reimbursement.

Broad incumbents

• Thermes de La Roche-Posay: French thermal station owned by L'Oréal, with dermatology-oriented cure conventionnée, on-site accommodation, and a strong spa brand. Comparable in leveraging unique thermal water assets, regulated cure pricing, and integrated hospitality.
• Valvital: Major French thermal operator running multiple thermal stations, offering conventionnée cures, mini-cures, spa, and wellness services. Comparable in operating model, distribution (medical referral + retail), and pricing structure.
• Chaîne Thermale du Soleil: One of the largest French thermal groups operating multiple spa stations across France under the conventionnée model. Comparable business model (cure conventionnée reimbursement, on-site accommodation, spa services) but broader therapeutic orientation rather than exclusive mental-health focus.
• Thermes de Vichy Célestins: Premium French thermal spa brand combining cure conventionnée with hotel hospitality and branded spa products. Comparable in monetizing thermal assets through regulated cures plus premium retail/accommodation add-ons.

Direct peers

• Thermes de Royat: French thermal station in Auvergne specialized in cardiovascular and stress-related conditions, with comparable conventionnée cure framework and physician-referral model. Directly comparable as a medically-supervised thermal cure operator reimbursed by French social security.
• Thermes de Balaruc-les-Bains: One of the largest thermal stations in France focused on rheumatology and post-treatment recovery, with conventionnée cure framework and complementary spa offerings. Directly comparable as a single-site French thermal operator reimbursed by social security.
• Thermes d'Allevard: French thermal station in the Alps specializing in respiratory and stress-related conditions (VOIE RESPIRATOIRE orientation), with conventionnée cure format. Comparable in operating a medically-prescribed thermal cure for a defined therapeutic area.

Others

• Compagnie de Vichy (Vichy Laboratoires / Thermes de Vichy): Owner of the Vichy thermal brand and a global skincare line derived from thermal water assets. Comparable as a French thermal asset operator monetizing mineral water through health, wellness, and consumer products, though primarily a consumer-products business today.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/les-thermes-de-saujon

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thermes de Saujon