Even though the benefits of the sea had been known for centuries it wasn’t until the 31st of December 1865 in Montpellier that Doctor La Bonnardiere presented his thesis entitled “Introduction to thalassotherapy” meaning “sea therapy” using the Greek words thalassa, the sea, and therapeia, therapy.
He practiced in Arcachon using the sea to treat, and from then on, thalassotherapy not only advocated the use of water but also seaweed, sand and seaside climate.