FromArgelès-sur-Mer to Antibes or, further north in France, to Deauville, where the tradition is followed to the letter by dozens of brave souls every year, the New Year's bath takes place every January 1st. According to theSeine-Maritime department's tourist office, sea bathing became fashionable in the Seine-Maritime department, and the first bather was none other than King Henri III, who came in June 1578 on the advice of his doctors.
Bathing in ice-cold water - what a strange idea! Yet bathing in icy water has many benefits for the body: it soothes joints, promotes blood circulation and strengthens the immune system through the action of the cold. In fact, as those who practice winter bathing tell us, even if you feel particularly cold at first, this type of bath is actually a real feel-good factor.
So, if you're thinking of taking the plunge on January 1, 2025, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, swimming is not recommended if you have a history of cardiovascular disease (or if you don't feel up to it on the day). Secondly, it's advisable not to exceed one minute per degree of water temperature. So, if the water is 10 degrees, don't swim for more than 10 minutes, if it's 5 degrees, don't swim for more than 5 minutes, and so on. Whatever you do with this January 1st holiday, we wish you a very happy New Year 2025!
