Bastien Gonzalez has managed to bring pedicures into the realm of luxury, even ultra-luxury. Thirty years after creating its foot ritual at the hotel Costs On rue Saint-Honoré, the man nicknamed "the virtuoso of feet" is inaugurating a new space dedicated to his treatments this March 2026. Bastien's bowThis second Parisian location complements its gallery setting. Véro-Dodat, opened in 2019.
In the tranquility of this boutique in Paris's 1st arrondissement, Luxe Infinity experienced a truly enchanting interlude. The setting is so timeless and spaceless that it encourages complete relaxation. A star in international luxury hotels and winner of 32 awards, Bastien Gonzalez is known and acclaimed in 42 countries. Because he is only in Paris ten days a month, it is a true privilege to entrust one's feet to his expert hands.
Behind the window at number 8 in the Galerie Véro-Dodat, the black fireplace is simply framed by white walls with classic moldings, harmonizing with the tiled floor of this covered passageway. Products from Bastien's Révérence line are discreetly displayed in two niches and on a small glass table. All is calm, and no one seems to live there. A sign invites you to ring the bell. Suddenly, a hidden door opens, and Bastien Gonzalez appears. His deep gaze already hints at his determination. Then, listening to him, his true character and the values to which he has remained faithful despite his fame quickly become apparent.
This native of the Auvergne region grew up between Brive-la-Gaillarde and Treignac. A few kilometers away, he practiced competitive skiing and became an instructor, but a bad fall forced him to wear orthotics and rely on podiatrists. He noticed that he won more ski competitions thanks to these orthotics. He then abandoned his studies in general medicine and chose to train as a podiatrist. Bastien Gonzalez obtained his state diploma in Paris in 1997 and immediately opened his practice in the Place des Vosges. He was only 23 years old. When asked by those around him why he chose this prestigious address to start his business, he invariably replies: "Because beauty is therapy."
His talent allowed him to quickly distinguish himself. After only two years, he sold his practice to offer his services internationally, where he built his reputation with a private clientele. "Luxury is defined by quality, to which service must be added; it's essential," he comments.
He returned to Paris at the invitation of Jean-Louis Costes, who opened the doors of his famous hotel on Rue Saint-Honoré to him. Then, in 2019, he fell in love with the Galerie Véro-Dodat, a 19th-century covered passageway listed as a historical monument. There, he opened his new studio, located—and this is no coincidence—between the Louboutin shoe store and a cobbler's shop. He set up his office upstairs, while the ground floor is dedicated to the showroom and a private fitting room.
Reserved for Luxe Infinity and all its clients, the exceptional treatment he has developed is an unforgettable experience. Not only for the immediate well-being it provides, but above all, because the feet undergo a true and lasting transformation. The same technique is applied to the hands, using the same products and tools.
Bastien Gonzalez begins by stating: “We don’t offer a consumer pedicure here. We provide genuine foot care.” He then launches into a scientific explanation, reminding us that we develop a parasympathetic nervous system because we are not naturally designed for walking. The man chose to get up, but he moved around on all fours for a long time. »
The expert then describes the steps of the treatment he will perform, which results in a complete rejuvenation of the feet. He begins with the nails, then moves on to the skin, and finishes with a massage, working his way up to the knees—a step he considers essential to a pedicure.
The beauty of the nail lies in its shine, achieved through a traditional polishing technique, for a spectacular and long-lasting result. Even though he admits he lost the battle to redefine his profession, he remains the one who launched the concepts of "pedicurology" and "manicure." And because he can't be present in every establishment where he has implemented his foot and hand ritual, he has also trained professionals all over the world. He has taught them to develop technical skills and to use Révérence de Bastien products to offer a premium customer experience.
The foot beauty ritual is accompanied by a range of products conceived and created by Bastien Gonzalez, from the formula to the packaging. The latter was designed in an eco-responsible and artistic way: on the edge of each cardboard box appears a portion of the winged foot that the brand's founder chose as his logo. "The foot that walks on the sky and the wing that carries it through the air," explains Bastien. Moreover, at the entrance to the Galerie Véro-Dodat, a statue depicts the god Hermes with his winged helmet and a caduceus, the staff of knowledge, in his hand.
As for the name of its product line, launched in 2003, it was inspired by the curtsy, "an elegant movement to bow at the feet of ladies… but also gentlemen." Made in France by top cosmetologists, the products are formulated with natural ingredients, plant-derived actives, and remarkable essential oils. The textures are rich, the fragrances delicate.
To prolong the beauty of your feet after a treatment, Bastien Gonzalez allowed us to test a "first steps" discovery set at home, featuring two of his flagship products. One is his famous balm for sensitive feet, composed of plants like sage and thyme, and boasting rich textures. It also contains zinc and a mint derivative, which provides a pleasant feeling of freshness. This balm promises supple, hydrated, and revitalized feet, provided you practice this wellness ritual daily with a few minutes of massage. The foot care balm for stressed feet combats dryness, pain, the feeling of heavy legs, and nail degeneration.
On the other hand, there's the Black Diamond Scrub foaming mineral exfoliant, which contains volcanic sand. It removes dead skin cells. The presence of essential oils of thyme and sage, with their purifying properties, helps to keep feet both healthy and graceful.
In addition to this set, the Révérence de Bastien ointment offers a concentrated treatment for feet, hands, and cuticles. It is composed of argan oil, which nourishes and strengthens nails; vitamin E, which softens and protects against daily aggressions; and camellia essential oil, which soothes and fortifies the nail surface. Arnica completes the formula and supports healthy skin.
The range also includes accessories, such as a washable glass nail file treated with a long-lasting antibacterial agent. And above all, the renowned buffer made of natural horn and chamois leather. It was while watching his 92-year-old grandmother care for her nails that Bastien Gonzalez had the idea to design this exquisitely beautiful luxury item.
But the most unexpected accessory he asked us to test was called Happy Feet. This device, which he created to relax toes, relieves pain caused by wearing shoes that are too tight, high heels, or prolonged standing. Simply slip the device between your toes every day, when your feet are bare—for half an hour to an hour—and the muscles relax and blood circulation improves.
As he finishes the treatment, the expert continues to describe with conviction the activity he created. "My concept rests on two pillars: education—to transmit knowledge—and emotion, which represents the intangible," he emphasizes like a mantra. His ritual is a luxurious and pleasurable interlude that one remembers for a long time. An experience like no other. Leaving the Galerie Véro-Dodat, our feet seem to float, as if Bastien Gonzalez had let us depart on the wings of Hermès.
Carine Loeillet
