In the article “French sauna culture”, I will focus on this little-researched topic and find out if there is a sauna culture in France.
Did the French have a sauna culture in the past? Does it still exist?
Have the French been hit by a “sauna boom”?
Is there an age limit for taking a sauna?
You will find answers to these questions in this article.
History of the French sauna
Books about this topic state that sauna culture did exist in France, (and elsewhere in Central Europe) as early as the Middle Ages. However, sauna workers and bathers were one of the most despised workgroups in medieval France.
Paris had a large number of public bathhouses and the first guild of professional bathers was started in the 13th century. The bathers were called étuveurs or étuviers. In 1292, there were 25 bathhouses and one women’s bathhouse in Paris.
The professional rules for bathers included precise instructions on how the bather was to conduct business. All business had to be morally acceptable and the bathhouses were open only during the day. The bathhouses were not allowed to accommodate anyone that could be suspicious, immoral or unlawful.
The bathhouses
The bathhouses were not allowed to stay open on Sundays or public holidays. Steam baths costed 2 denier and tub baths 4 denier.
In the late 14th century, an addition was made to the criteria for bathers. They had to “live a decent life, be decorous and honest.” They had to take an oath and promise to keep the trade secrets. Men’s bathhouses were not allowed to be heated for women. The spa owners did not allow any disturbance or immoral life in his spa. Boys were allowed to bathe with their mothers until the age of 7.
In 17th century France, a special sauna drink was often enjoyed after a sauna. It was made from beer and wine with added breadcrumbs, lemon slices, sugar and nutmeg. However, the most common sauna drink was kvass, it was made from rye or barley flour mixed with peppermint oil, vinegar or mead.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, bathers in bathhouses were more respected than bathers in public saunas. However, bathers and sauna workers were not able to join large trade guilds. The most undesirable and hardest job of a sauna workers was to heat the sauna.
It was a hot and sooty and had to be done during the night. The pay, however, was really good. It is documented that in the 14th century, the sauna workers were paid three times as much as other workers.
The bathers and sauna workers prepared and produced all the equipment and materials they needed: buckets, ladles, sauna whisks, caps and other materials needed for bathing. The bathing caps were braided from straw and were included in the price of the bath. Bathers and sauna workers also had the right to make soap.
The bathers provided tub baths as well as sweat baths. They also did cupping and bloodletting for extra income.
In the Middle Ages, bathers and sauna workers also did barbering. However, this later became a dispute with professional barbers.
Where to find saunas
Nowadays, saunas can be found in public swimming pools, hotels, spas and gyms. They are not as common as Finland or Germany, but they exist. Even large spas may have only one sauna, and often they are a bit disappointing (for us Finns). The spas focus on massages and other treatments.
I interviewed Finnish Anna Kristina who had visited the sauna in the University of Paris in the late 70’s. Do any of you know if this sauna still exists?
Anna Kristina also said that she never saw a Finnish sauna in France, only Swedish saunas. Some saunas had carpets and other strange things you would never find in a Finnish sauna.
Age limit for sauna
Children under 15 years old are not allowed in the sauna. I’ve heard many stories about how Finnish children have not been able to take a sauna with their parents. Spas claim (and many French doctors think this too) that sauna is not good for children. Although we Finns know that sauna is in no way harmful to children.
Read more: Can you go to sauna with children
French sauna visitor
The French sauna visitor is a bit shy, especially when it comes to nudity. Mixed saunas are rare, and if they happen, people are wrapped in towels or wear swimming costumes. They don’t go to sauna naked even with their best friend. The French think that running around naked is a disgraceful.
From what I heard; the French women think that their bodies are meant to be seen and enjoyed only by their partners. They want to stay feminine; they do not usually sweat in the gyms or in the sauna. Breastfeeding is a big no-no for many French women, especially in public places. They may only breastfeed for a week or two so they can say they have breastfed. Second child is less likely to be breastfed because mothers do not want their older children to see when the little one is eating.
Sauna and nudity
Nudity is very strongly associated with sexuality and eroticism. Usually only your sexual partner is allowed to see you naked. When my German boyfriend went to a sauna in France, he got literally kicked out because he was naked. He was considered a pervert, even though he just wanted to enjoy the sauna!
Sauna in France
The French have a few misconceptions about sauna and its benefits. They think lying in a “cold” sauna helps you to lose weight. Saunas are considered a luxury, but people are not familiar with the real health benefits. In their opinion, saunas belong to every spa, even if they do not use them themselves.
For some reason, saunas and sex clubs are also strongly connected in France. I do not know if such clubs often have saunas but there seems to be a connection. I think that it is important to bear in mind the original purpose of a sauna.
Saunas usually have a stove and stones, but you are not allowed to throw water on the stove.
The exception confirms the rule
Now, I have to say that there are people in France who love to take a sauna and don’t think there’s anything sexual about being naked in a sauna. These people have visited Finland or some other sauna country, had a sauna there and know how things “should work”. Some of them even have their own sauna at home, usually built the Swedish way.
Summary
Unfortunately, this article on French sauna culture was not as thorough as I would like. There just does not seem to be that much information available. Internet research failed me, perhaps because the French just do not have a distinctive sauna culture.
There is no actual sauna boom in France yet, but like other countries, there is a real interest in the sauna.
I hope this “French sauna culture” article will help you when you travel to France. Enjoy the saunas there, just remember: DO NOT GO IN NAKED!
I hope the French get over their fear of nudity and learn to enjoy the warmth of the sauna, without making false assumptions. That way everyone can feel comfortable and enjoy sauna.
Source: Saunan salaisuus-book + interviews with expatriate Finns
Are you interested in other sauna cultures? The blog also provides comprehensive information on other sauna cultures. You could start by reading about German sauna culture.
Read more: German sauna culture
