When I saw the words “sleep tourism” (le tourisme du sommeil) in our newspaper, I thought that they were talking about “slow travel”. That’s something that Bill and I have embraced since moving to France, now that we no longer need to fly over here from the US, dash around seeing everything we can in 2 weeks, and then immediately fly back. Taking the train over long distances gives us a chance to enjoy the journey, the scenery, the food and wine, the legroom, and arrive downtown within walking distance of our hotel. In fact, since “sleep” was in the title I figured they were talking about overnight trains that are making a real comeback in Europe, giving you a comfortable bed allowing you to wake up in your destination city. We have already covered that topic and the book you see here in this paragraph in previous blog posts. But this new style of travel was something totally different.

When both of us had full time jobs we were definitely looking for a relaxing vacation—morning coffee on the balcony, walks along the beach, late lunch at an outdoor café, drinks and then dinner with no timeline in mind. That seldom happened. There was always another castle to visit, a monument to see, some gardens to walk through while the blooms were at their peak. Who had time to sleep, yet that’s exactly what “sleep tourism” is all about.

According to Inserm (the French National Institute of Health & Medical Research), “the French sleep 1 hour and a half less than they did 50 years ago” and 45% of those under age 45 say they need more sleep. Reflecting the importance of that slumber, on the competition TV show called “Bienvenue Chez Nous” bed and breakfast hosts across France are underpaid if the guests have an uncomfortable night and worse, given a “no, we will not return” rating.

Larger hotels have definitely taken notice of this new trend and charge accordingly. We’ve stayed in hotels where there was a pillow menu (I think of it as a Goldiocks too soft, too hard choice) or a mattress that had “Cloud Comfort or Tranquility Sleep” included in the standard rate. Now, apparently, you can get high-tech beds that analyze your sleep patterns, adjust the firmness and temperature of the mattress, block out unwanted noise with enhanced soundproofing, and create the perfect sleep environment with adapted lighting. Don’t forget hypnotherapy, meditation or the sleep concierge, but then if you’re paying 2000€ per night you probably want all of that included.

On those transatlantic flights that we no longer take, their version of sleep tourism was an eye mask, some ear plugs, and a free glass of wine. Happily now, if we don’t doze off in our gently rocking train seat on the way home, our Goldilocks just-right bed awaits. Good night!

The featured photo across the top of today’s post is the bedroom of Empress Joséphine, wife of Napoleon, at Château Malmaison.