Thermal well-being
Anchored in the heart of a unique natural environment, rich in water with multiple benefits, are 24 thermal spas, some of which are internationally renowned, such as Evian or Vichy. This makes Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes a choice destination for people enticed by the trend of taking care of themselves.
Successors of a glorious heritage, today these resorts are now intrinsically contemporary in their approach to well-being, and create true havens of rejuvenation and serenity. Combined with cutting-edge expertise and modern facilities, this holistic approach is perfectly in tune with today’s desire for good health and personal development. Mineral, spring or thermal, used for all its virtues and properties, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes water is, an invaluable vehicle for well-being.
Immersion in these unique waters provides a source of new energy and lays the foundations for a healthier lifestyle, and taking care of yourself, your body and your mind for a better life. In every spa town, the professional knowledge and expertise makes each individual experience the beginning of a new story.
Key people
Aix-les-Bains - Riviera des Alpes
Lake, mountain and spa - the perfect equation for well-being!
Featuring a renowned spa, a charming urban centre, a rich cultural heritage and a wild and unique natural environment, Aix-les-Bains Riviera des Alpes is a dynamic and attractive destination. Follow the shores of the Lac du Bourget, the largest natural lake in France. From the mountain peaks to the turquoise lake waters, this area combines all the sensory experiences. Here you can discover the benefits of the water, the enjoyment of nature, sporting activities, delicious cuisine and a peaceful way of life - guaranteeing fulfilment and fitness.
Natural hot springs of up to 71°C rise from the deep below this natural setting. Renowned for their therapeutic benefits, this area is home to two thermal facilities that are valued for their respective features. In the centre of Aix-les-Bains, the modern architecture of the Thermes Chevally provides a peaceful, bright and spacious environment, conducive to rejuvenation. The state-of-the-art technology makes it possible to uncover boreholes of up to 2,200m deep to make the most of the water. Bicarbonated, calcic, sulphated and suphurated, the waters are known for their pain-relieving properties.
Located in a 10-hectare park, the Thermes de Marlioz offer residents a luxurious natural setting. The age-old reputation of the sulphurous waters guarantees a regenerating stay for anyone suffering from respiratory tract diseases or ENT (ear, nose and throat) disorders.
Évian
World-class water for a unique experience
A famous destination for international spa tourism since its origins, Ëvian-les-Bains has preserved its elegance, combining the curves of art nouveau and the retro charm of the Belle Epoque with the refined imprint of modern style.
At the foot of the Alps, this seaside resort majestically dominates the southern shore of Lake Geneva. While remaining a favourite place for outdoor activities, above all it owes its fame to its “miraculous” water. Collected in a natural impluvium in the heart of the mountains, the rain and snow travel for years before reappearing at the source. The geological layers which they pass through act as a filter, making the water uniquely pure and giving it a specific magnesium/calcium balance.
The Thermes d’Evian® feature the water at the heart of all their offers: beauty treatments and massages in the wellness area, thermal cures or hydrotherapy in the “Aqua” area that boasts the latest facilities. Rest, relaxation, sensory experiences - these invigorating, relaxing and innovative health programmes meet every need.
« Mountains & Health »
A scientifically proven capital!
Keeping fit, de-stressing and regaining vitality are essential needs today; reconnecting with nature is a priority! In this context, the Mountain and Health study (validated by health experts) demonstrates the beneficial effects of the mountains.
Therefore, because the altitude, clean air, light, silence, the forests and the thermal waters promote a physical and mental balance, the mountain is a unique destination to recharge.
Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc
Thermal waters at the foot of Mont-Blanc, a beneficial combination of nature
In the heart of the French Alps, Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc is the original mountain spa resort. Dominated by one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Europe, with its old Savoyard village appearance, the resort combines the virtues of its waters with all the benefits of the mountains, and offers a wide range of outdoor activities and winter sports. The Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc thermal baths are located at the end of a 10-hectare park tree-filled park. Collected at 39°C at the end of a thousand year journey through the bowels of the earth which enriches them with minerals and trace elements, the baths have unique properties that have been used (since 1807!) for medical reasons or for pleasure. The soothing, healing, anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing effects give them a very special place in the world of dermatology.
The Bains du Mont-Blanc offers several areas dedicated to well-being that create an unforgettable time to relax and unwind. A sensory journey through spectacular scenery adds a new dimension to this thermal experience.
Vals-les-Bains
Spring water and unspoilt nature in the Ardèche!
With its thermal baths that were set up in 1867, shaded terraces overlooking the course of the Volane river, countless springs and geyser which erupts naturally (4 times a day!) in the middle of the park, Vals-les-Bains is a prime example of a water town.
The quality and diversity of the Vals water - natural, bicarbonated and sodic mineral water - have built the resort’s reputation, which has specialised in the treatment of weight problems, diabetes and nutritional diseases.
If the memory of the Belle Epoque still permeates the peaceful atmosphere of this charming resort, the richness of the land and the unspoilt natures that surrounds it make this rural town one of the “Plus Beaux Détours de France” (Most Beautiful Detours in France). A stopover for relaxation, leisure and outdoor activities at the gateway to Provence...
Paying tribute to the massive sequoia tree planted the year the Thermes opened, the Redwood Sequoia Spa is undoubtedly the resort’s main feature. Spread over 1,500m², this vast space celebrates the beauty and benefits of nature. From the hot baths to the ice fountain, 14 stages create an innovative sensory journey. The attractive architectural design, conceived with respect for the environment, also contains a treatment area that uses natural cosmetics developed in Vals-les-Bains. One of the Sequoia flagship treatments - the “sports massage” attracts many people.
Vichy
Queen of the water towns and elected a «UNESCO World Heritage site»
As a result of the extraordinary passion driven by Napoleon III, Vichy became one of the most prestigious holiday resorts in the Second Empire. Since its heyday at the end of the 19th century, it has continued to retain the spa resort archetypal image, which has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.
The legacy of this historic splendour has left its mark on the city and its parks and gardens with a mix of styles and influences. From the Source of the Célestins pavilion to the Casino-Theatre, an art nouveau jewel, from the bandstand, the opulent galleries or the famous Napoleon III chalets in the heart of the magnificent park on the banks of the Allier... An atmosphere of timeless grandeur reigns in Vichy, where a taste for art and nature mingle everywhere.
This time-honoured experience is based on the richness of the thermal and mineral waters. The rainwater that has infiltrated the faults in the Auvergne volcanoes returns loaded with carbon dioxide, minerals and trace elements, which contains powerful active ingredients to fight metabolic diseases.
The resort has the largest “Medical Thermal Spa” in Europe linked to a 5-star hotel. The famous Célestins Spa has developed the Vichy method: a bespoke programme combining signature treatments with medical advice, tailored to physical activity and dietetic cuisine. This is a unique opportunity to experience the benefits of the “Vichy 4-hand shower massage”, a symbolic offering since 1896!
Châtel-Guyon
An innovative resort dedicated to good health
At the gateway to the Auvergne volcanoes, Châtel-Guyon enriches its thermal spa with a global approach to well-being and based in the heart of spectacular nature. The combination of well-being, sport and nature in a heritage setting marked by the Golden Years, makes this a desirable location.Praised by Guy de Maupassant during his stays in the 1880s, the benefits of its magnesium-rich waters have always led the resort’s success in the field of digestive conditions.
These benefits originate from the Aïga Thermal Resort, a unique medical concept focused on the hydrotherapy of the intestinal microbiota. This innovative programme contains 15 000 m² dedicated to a thermal building, a thermal spa, 4-star tourist accommodation, a nutri-gastronomy restaurant and a research and training centre. These facilities make Châtel-Guyon a leading-edge resort, which invites you to experience long-term well-being for the whole body. With this in mind, in addition to the thermal journey, an original treatment menu provides unforgettable experiences. Among these treatments is the hot sand massage (inspired by ancient times) offers a unique sensory experience. This is an Aïga Resort exclusive for total physical and mental relaxation!
Eating better
«Tell me what you eat and I’ll tell you who you are»
The famous gastronome Brillat Savarin wasn´t wrong! Food is a fundamental factor of balance and well-being. However, this harmony is constantly under threat in the context of our modern, industrial and urban society.
Nutrition also has a special place in the heart of the spas: courses of treatment, healthy cooking, special menus, workshops, conferences... Multiple and varied formulas advocate better eating for improved well-being - an essential need.
Detox and vitality programmes, health stays, drink treatments, personalised nutrition, whether to cure or prevent, the reputation of Evian, Montrond-les-Bains, Thonon-les Bains and Vals-les-Bains, Châtel-Guyon and Vichy no longer need to prove themselves in this field. As for Brides-les-Bains, this Alpine resort is known for its treatments focussed on slimming. Its “Healthy Eating” label ensures the involvement of all the relevant village participants in delivering its objective to visitors.
Improved head space
Goal: to disconnect!
To combat stress and lay the foundations for a calm life, now and in the future, it0s essential to let go, and free yourself from the pressures of life by getting back to basics. Renowned for their effective treatments for stress and anxiety, the Divonne-les-Bains and Néris-les-Bain resorts offer regenerating treatments, sources of calmness and deep relaxation. These historic resorts maintain their charm through the preservation of their environments.
Whether the Jura Mountains at the gateway to Switzerland or the wilderness of the Combrailles on the edge of Allier, visitors looking for a change of scenery can enjoy a breath of fresh air.
Néris-les-Bains is part of the national “Small towns of tomorrow” programme, and is strengthening its project creation to enhance its attractiveness. France Thermes, (the group that operates several thermal resorts, including Vichy) is planning major improvements to develop the quality of stays focused on neurological and psychosomatic conditions.
Move better
Active mobility for good health
Because maintaining mobility guarantees a better quality of life, the diversity and properties of the thermal waters offer an inexhaustible source of well-being in the four corners of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region: in Allevard-les-Bains near the Isère valley, in la Léchère-les-Bains, in Challes-les-Eaux or Aix-les-Bains in Savoie or in Chaudes Aigues, the only resort in the Cantal.
However, everyone can opt for a tailored health programme too in Saint-Laurent-les-Bains in the Ardèche, in Montbrun-les-Bains in the Baronnies provençales,and in the Auvergne resorts of Bourbon-l’Archambault, Châteauneuf-les-Bains or Royat-Chamalières.
From the peaks of the Alps to the volcanoes of the Auvergene, all these sites enjoy a rich and invigorating natural environment that is ideal for a wide range of sporting and outdoor activities. The pleasant altitude, pure air, silence and beauty of the landscapes combine with the quality of the courses, specific treatments and modern facilities to make each spa stop a benefit for good health.
The Mont-Dore resort in the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park is a perfect example. With its luxurious Byzantine-style thermal baths, modern facilities, highly silica-rich waters as well as a refreshing climate and invigorating nature, the resort of Mont-Dore is an ideal destination to recharge your batteries.
Feel better about yourself
Unique natural waters for remarkable care
Within the extremely varied range of specialities that characterise the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes spa offerings, natural treatments work wonders. The secret? Exceptional quality waters renowned for their soothing, healing and regenerating properties. Whether curing treatments to relieve skin ailments or beauty treatments to renew the skin’s glow, the benefits of dermatological treatments pave the way to a radiant look.
This is how the thermal spas of Uriage-les-Bains, Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc and Neyrac-les-Bains have boosted their reputation in this field.
This therapeutic focus is also a key feature of the Grands Thermes de La Bourboule, which is particularly suitable for the treatment of allergies. Here, the trace element-rich water stimulates the body’s immunity and reduces tissue inflammation. Children can benefit from its beneficial effects as early as 6 months old! The environment, facilities, leisure activities, and the resort being located in the heart of the Auvergne volcanoes has plenty of benefits to attract all ages.