An elegant ambiance at L'Institut Calice

L’Insitut Calice is a hidden treasure of a beauty salon tucked away in Southern Paris; a sanctuary of relaxation just a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of nearby Montparnasse.

The salon is run by the diminutive and fabulously-named Colombian, Mercedes. Quite admirably, she is both the manager and sole practitioner. “Bienvenidos a mi pequeño paradizo !” (welcome to my little paradise), she says on the website. This warm welcome, combined with her top-notch skills has made her salon so popular (when I arrived at 7pm she had been working since 7am with only a 15-minute break for lunch) that she is actively seeking another therapist to work alongside her. But so high are her standards that no-one has yet made the cut…

Forget the modern cold and minimalist decor that is en vogue in the hoardes of salons that litter Paris today – the ambiance at Calice is perfectly crafted to start your relaxation from the moment you enter the practice – while waiting to be fetched, you can have a tea or infusion as you slide into one of the cosy chairs nestled in a classically modern decor.

The Institut specialises in various forms of relaxation, beauty and well-being, ranging across face and body treatments (including exfoliation and electrotherapy) to waxing, massage and of course, manicures and pedicures. Through her 20 years of experience, Mercedes has tried and tested enough creams and lotions to perhaps fill the Seine, but swears by six brands which she uses today: Artdeco, Ingrid Millet, Biodroga, La Sultane de Saba, Futurcosmetic and Coudray perfumes – all brands that have enough awards and trophies between them to probably fill my modest apartment.

During my 90 minute facial treatment I was pampered to within an inch of my life, or at least to within a few minutes of falling asleep. There was a gentle flow of cleansing, exfoliating, a mask, and a succession of creams carefully massaged into my skin, with an attention to detail that made me feel like a million dollars. Mercedes listened attentively as I described the ups and downs of my skin’s life story and she adapted her treatment accordingly as well as giving me tips on the way: nothing overly pretentious or expensive, instead of pushing me into buying creams, she told me that one of the best ways I could keep my skin on form is to drink hot water with lemon as early as possible every morning. After the treatment, I felt relaxed, refreshed and invigorated like I hadn’t done in a long time.

If you are looking for a high quality treatment with one of the warmest welcomes in Paris (the clichés are true, it is indeed hard to find customer service with a smile here) then the Institut Calice comes highly recommended.

More information is available on the Institut Calice website.