Developing a wellness center for napping in Paris… what an idea! Yet, this is the audacious challenge that Virginie and Christophe Chanhsavang took on at the beginning of 2011. Since then, this young Parisian couple, enriched by travel and multicultural background, has dedicated themselves to a mission: to connect with people and their clientele, whether from the Paris region or just passing through, to provide them with daily well-being and relaxation.
Our Story
From the first Nap Bar in Paris to the Zen Truck
The crazy idea: a Nap Bar in Paris!
To achieve this blissful state of zen, the Zen Bar, the first nap bar in Paris, offers, with or without an appointment, various services for instant and effective relaxation:
Various relaxation workshops (Meditation, Sophrology, virtual reality relaxation) | Restorative naps | Massage naps | Fish pedicure | Hand and foot beauty treatments | Back massage (seated Amma), cranial and foot massages |
Virginie & Christophe: Dream merchants… idealists and believers!
“Virginie & Christophe: Dream Merchants… Idealists and Convinced!
Between Banking & Insurance, Luxury & Beauty, Virginie & Christophe’s intensive careers have taken them around the world. Sensitive to both Asian culture and lifestyle, the contrast with French customs widens the gap. The pace is increasingly difficult to keep up with, both physically and mentally. Yet, Paris holds a special place in their hearts. The dilemma is there… and they keep coming back.
Unlike in Asia, where naps and massage parlors are ubiquitous, Parisian wellness centers are rather rare, expensive, and reserved for an elite clientele.
In fact, for Virginie, finding a place to nap in Paris is a daily challenge, the source of many anecdotes. Drowsiness between appointments in a car or in tanning booths, contorting themselves in a secluded office while praying not to be caught, or even… in the bathroom, trying to steal a few precious minutes of rest.
Virginie and Christophe’s “”commute-work-sleep”” routine continues its frenetic pace. But… little by little, an idea takes root in Virginie’s mind: to get the 6 to 8 hours of rest necessary for recovery during the night.”
From “Honey, I have an idea…” until today
2010
THE Idea
One evening, inspired by a friend’s wine bar, the couple and their companions amused themselves by brainstorming “”bar”” concepts that would benefit Parisians. Ideas flew thick and fast until Virginie’s idea finally came to her: A NAP BAR!
Blending the French art of living with Zen culture proved to be a truly innovative solution, perfectly aligned with their aspirations. The ideal relaxation concept to combat city stress and sleep deprivation.
2011
The Zen place
A few months later, the idea finally took shape. The name? ZZZen – Nap Bar, a double reference to Zen culture and the three ZZZs of sleep. The logo? A bubble of lightness and the stylized word Zen. The location? A small, four-story, 19th-century-style building in the heart of Paris. This unique haven houses two distinct worlds: a relaxation area where napping is elevated to an art form, and a treatment area dedicated to the beauty of the body, hands, and feet.
Over the years
…The adventure took off, and the team grew with the addition of highly skilled and versatile estheticians. Qualified professionals Solène, Ophélie, and Angèle regularly train in new massage techniques and are perfectly aligned with the philosophy of the establishment.
More broadly, the members of the Zen Team have become true ambassadors of the concept. By listening to clients, they contribute their ideas, inspirations, and aspirations to the Zen Bar à Sieste.
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2018
The Zen Truck
More than 50,000 Zen relaxation enthusiasts later, the Zen Bar isn’t resting on its laurels! Many customers, fans of the nap bar, located on the outskirts of Paris, regularly express their wish: “Can we bring your Zen atmosphere to our workplaces?”
Following her instincts and seeking new challenges, Virginie took up the challenge… The mobile version of the concept is now launched: the Zen Truck!
A true “”breath of fresh air”” traveling throughout the Île-de-France region, the Zen Truck now offers its massage and relaxation services to business leaders and their employees, right at their desks!
The Zen Bar aims to demystify the practice of resting during the day: goodbye to taboos! Business leaders, Parisian workers, strollers in the Opéra district, those passing through, whether out of necessity or just for pleasure, the possibilities of the Zen Bar are numerous: come and recharge your batteries!
