What Happens When a SKEMA Graduate Brings a Norwegian Tradition to Paris?

What path did you take before joining SKEMA?

I first completed a vocational diploma (BTS), followed by a bachelor's degree through a work-study program. I then spent a year in Australia and another year in Norway, an unconventional path compared with many students in my cohort.

I joined SKEMA in 2021 to pursue the MSc International Business. I completed most of the program on the Paris campus before spending my final semester in Stellenbosch, South Africa. That experience remains one of the highlights of my academic journey.

Did you get involved in student life?

I was part of TEDx SKEMA Paris, where I was responsible for partnerships. I also contributed to several aspects of event preparation and organization.

The experience gave me the opportunity to work on a collective project while taking on meaningful responsibilities.

The Birth of Dropp Social Sauna

How did the idea for Dropp Social Sauna come about?

I have been living in Oslo for more than three years. I had already spent time there during the Covid period and later during an internship between my two years of master's studies.

In Norway, saunas located by the sea or the fjords play an important role in social life. They are affordable, attract people from all backgrounds, and serve as places to meet friends, connect with new people, or simply spend time alone.

My business partner, Nils, who is also a longtime friend, came to visit me in Oslo. He immediately embraced the concept. We realized there was nothing comparable in Paris, and that is when the project started to take shape.

Your first idea was to install a sauna on the Seine. Why did you change direction?

We wanted to replicate the floating sauna facilities we had seen in Oslo. The context of the Olympic Games and the investments being made to improve the Seine's water quality made the concept particularly appealing.

We contacted Voies Navigables de France, but commercial locations on the river are allocated through competitive calls for projects. Cost was another major obstacle. A quotation for a 150-square-meter floating platform came close to €400,000.

We therefore started looking for land while preserving one essential principle: creating an outdoor experience. We wanted a place connected to nature, with operating costs that would allow us to keep admission prices affordable.

Where did you set up Dropp Social Sauna?

We are located at Bercy Encore, a community-focused site near Porte de Bercy in Paris. The area hosts a variety of associations and businesses, including a riverside café, sports facilities, a plant-recycling initiative, and organizations dedicated to composting.

The site belongs to SNCF and is part of a temporary urban development project. An association won the operating tender and subleases part of the space to us.

This location enabled us to bring our vision to life, but it also comes with uncertainty. The current agreement runs for another two and a half years, with no guarantee of renewal, which made fundraising more challenging.

How did you finance the project?

We secured a bank loan covering the amount required to launch the business. Obtaining financing was not easy because of the limited duration of our lease.

We supplemented the loan with personal savings and support from family and friends. We also received funding from Paris Initiatives Entreprises to strengthen our equity contribution.

Budget constraints led us to complete a large share of the construction work ourselves and use reclaimed materials whenever possible. Those limitations ultimately helped shape both the project and its identity.

Creating a Wellness Escape in the Heart of Paris

What kind of experience do you offer?

The site includes three saunas and can accommodate up to 35 guests at the same time. The largest sauna spans 24 square meters and can host 18 people. Two smaller saunas were built in the Ardèche region of France. One of them is made from chestnut wood and features a rustic design reminiscent of Scandinavia's northern landscapes.

We also offer cold plunge pools imported from Denmark, showers, changing rooms, a terrace, and a relaxation area. This space will also host yoga classes, fitness activities, and workshops.

Some facilities were specifically designed to be movable in case we need to relocate. Our reception area, for example, is housed in a transportable structure.

How does a session work?

Visitors book a 90-minute slot through our website. A standard session costs €20. We also offer packages and memberships.

The venue welcomes both individuals and companies. Guests can privatize the entire site or one of the smaller saunas. Open sessions encourage visitors to share the space and interact with one another.

This social dimension is at the heart of the concept

What do you hope to bring to Parisians?

In Paris, opportunities to disconnect from the pace of city life are rare. We wanted to create a place where people could truly unwind in an environment that stands apart from traditional wellness venues.

The trees, natural materials, and overall layout create the feeling of leaving the city behind. Some visitors tell us it feels as though they have spent an afternoon in the countryside.

We also designed the experience to promote digital disconnection. Phones are kept aside, and there are no clocks in the sauna and cold-plunge areas. For ninety minutes, guests can step away from work, schedules, and daily pressures.

What kind of community do you hope to build around Dropp Social Sauna?

We want to create a vibrant destination where people feel welcome, return regularly, and develop a sense of belonging.

Everyone should be free to enjoy the experience in their own way, whether that means socializing, spending time with friends, or simply enjoying a quiet moment alone.

That freedom exists in the Norwegian saunas that inspired us. Our ambition is to bring the same spirit to Paris.