There is a specific kind of holiday that many desire, particularly if especially tired and in need of rest and relaxation: a spa getaway. From onsens in Japan to Turkish baths, there are various types of spa destinations and cultures all across the globe. In some parts of the world, these are luxurious manmade facilities that make use of cutting-edge technologies and others harness naturally-occurring thermal springs and the health-giving properties of the minerals that are found in these waters and yet others still combine the two. This latter situation is the case in France, where thermal springs and baths have been popular since Roman times and lead to the creation of various spa towns.
Some of these spa towns are now connected to globally famous brands that make beauty products and bottled water and some are less well-known to international audiences but are beloved of French travellers. In both cases, they still offer the most important thing: excellent spa facilities that will help you forget the weariness of daily life and get the rest and relaxation that you need and deserve. If you are planning a trip to France and want to visit a spa town then you’re in luck as we have compiled a list of five of the best towns that make for ideal destinations for your next spa getaway…
Some of these spa towns are now connected to globally famous brands that make beauty products and bottled water and some are less well-known to international audiences but are beloved of French travellers. In both cases, they still offer the most important thing: excellent spa facilities that will help you forget the weariness of daily life and get the rest and relaxation that you need and deserve. If you are planning a trip to France and want to visit a spa town then you’re in luck as we have compiled a list of five of the best towns that make for ideal destinations for your next spa getaway…
1. Évian-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie
This name is likely one of the most familiar on the list and for good reason. It is the French spa town that gave the world the famous and aforementioned globally beloved bottled mineral water brand Évian and is a chic spa destination located on the shores of Lac Léman (also known more commonly as Lake Geneva). It first became famous for its spring waters in the 1790s and remains a popular and beautiful spa getaway location. In addition to its famous thermal and mineral springs, the town is characterised by the lovely 19th and 20th century buildings that lend it old world charm, like the former Thermal Baths, Buvette Cachat pavilion, Casino, former luxury hotels and Villa Lumière, which is home to the town hall. Plus, the lakeside location, with its harbour and beach and flower-lined shores, only adds to the beauty of this destination. Come choose from the variety of spas and try out the range of water-based treatments as well as the massages, wraps, reflexology and other beauty treatments that are on offer throughout the town. Check it out by finding a vacation rental near Évian-les-Bains.
This name is likely one of the most familiar on the list and for good reason. It is the French spa town that gave the world the famous and aforementioned globally beloved bottled mineral water brand Évian and is a chic spa destination located on the shores of Lac Léman (also known more commonly as Lake Geneva). It first became famous for its spring waters in the 1790s and remains a popular and beautiful spa getaway location. In addition to its famous thermal and mineral springs, the town is characterised by the lovely 19th and 20th century buildings that lend it old world charm, like the former Thermal Baths, Buvette Cachat pavilion, Casino, former luxury hotels and Villa Lumière, which is home to the town hall. Plus, the lakeside location, with its harbour and beach and flower-lined shores, only adds to the beauty of this destination. Come choose from the variety of spas and try out the range of water-based treatments as well as the massages, wraps, reflexology and other beauty treatments that are on offer throughout the town. Check it out by finding a vacation rental near Évian-les-Bains.
2. Vichy, Allier
Another famous brand-name spa town is Vichy due to the premium skincare brand of the same name that has become a favourite around the world amongst skincare lovers. The town was first discovered as a destination to take in thermal waters by the Romans but it was not until the 16th century that it became widely known for its “miraculous” waters. Several visits by Napoleon III between 1861 and 1866 helped solidify the town’s name as a favoured spa town and there is actually now an excellent annual festival that takes place in the town to commemorate these pivotal visits, which helped shaped the town into the key holiday destination that it is today. Aside from the Napoleon seal of approval, it is apparent that Vichy is an elegant and luxurious spa town that draws 13,000 spa visitors per year and boasts some incredible aesthetic and therapeutic treatments from water therapy to mud treatments and massages to the local special, the “Vichy Shower”, which involves two people massaging you while your body experiences the benefits of Vichy water. The real focus in Vichy is all-round wellbeing and in addition to the massages and facials, people come for the offering treatments for diabetes, metabolic imbalances, cellulite, and all sorts of aches and pains. Try the treatments, wander the town, take in the gorgeous Second Empire, Belle Époque and Art Deco architecture, try the local mint sweets, and load up on the famous skin care products!
Another famous brand-name spa town is Vichy due to the premium skincare brand of the same name that has become a favourite around the world amongst skincare lovers. The town was first discovered as a destination to take in thermal waters by the Romans but it was not until the 16th century that it became widely known for its “miraculous” waters. Several visits by Napoleon III between 1861 and 1866 helped solidify the town’s name as a favoured spa town and there is actually now an excellent annual festival that takes place in the town to commemorate these pivotal visits, which helped shaped the town into the key holiday destination that it is today. Aside from the Napoleon seal of approval, it is apparent that Vichy is an elegant and luxurious spa town that draws 13,000 spa visitors per year and boasts some incredible aesthetic and therapeutic treatments from water therapy to mud treatments and massages to the local special, the “Vichy Shower”, which involves two people massaging you while your body experiences the benefits of Vichy water. The real focus in Vichy is all-round wellbeing and in addition to the massages and facials, people come for the offering treatments for diabetes, metabolic imbalances, cellulite, and all sorts of aches and pains. Try the treatments, wander the town, take in the gorgeous Second Empire, Belle Époque and Art Deco architecture, try the local mint sweets, and load up on the famous skin care products!
3. Dax, Landes
While much less famous internationally than the previous two entries on this list, the spa town of Dax boasts no less than 15 thermal spas and welcomes around 60,000 visitors per year who come specifically to sample her many wellness, healthcare and spa facilities. It is France’s top spa town with Antique origins and a bustling present. In fact, a monument called the Fontaine Chaude, which is located on the site of the original Roman thermal baths, in the centre of town, was built between 1814 and 1818 in the style of Roman baths to commemorate this lengthy history. With lots of options when it comes to spas, therapies, price points and more, it is a great option for those who like having a range of choices on hand and want to try out different things. One of the most popular spas is the Thermes des Arènes, which specialises in rheumatology, and common treatments in the area include aero baths to allow bubbles to relax tired muscles and a Peleotherapy called the “Dax Peloid” that uses mud that is unique to the area and kept at a constant temperature of 45°C.
4. La Roche-Posay, Vienne
Another spa town made famous by its beauty products, La Roche-Posay is a charming Medieval village located in the scenic countryside of the Vienne department, right on the Creuse river. The town is the European capital of hydro-dermatology due to the exceptional healing and soothing qualities of its waters, which is known as “Velvet Water” and is used in curing skin afflictions and for recreational and wellness treatments in the town’s spas. With an incredible reputation as a key spa destination for more than 350 years, La Roche-Posay boasts several spa thermal treatment centres to choose from and is also home to the lovely and extensive gardens of the Parc Thermal, with its water features and interesting planting arrangements, which is open to the public and is well worth exploring.
While much less famous internationally than the previous two entries on this list, the spa town of Dax boasts no less than 15 thermal spas and welcomes around 60,000 visitors per year who come specifically to sample her many wellness, healthcare and spa facilities. It is France’s top spa town with Antique origins and a bustling present. In fact, a monument called the Fontaine Chaude, which is located on the site of the original Roman thermal baths, in the centre of town, was built between 1814 and 1818 in the style of Roman baths to commemorate this lengthy history. With lots of options when it comes to spas, therapies, price points and more, it is a great option for those who like having a range of choices on hand and want to try out different things. One of the most popular spas is the Thermes des Arènes, which specialises in rheumatology, and common treatments in the area include aero baths to allow bubbles to relax tired muscles and a Peleotherapy called the “Dax Peloid” that uses mud that is unique to the area and kept at a constant temperature of 45°C.
4. La Roche-Posay, Vienne
Another spa town made famous by its beauty products, La Roche-Posay is a charming Medieval village located in the scenic countryside of the Vienne department, right on the Creuse river. The town is the European capital of hydro-dermatology due to the exceptional healing and soothing qualities of its waters, which is known as “Velvet Water” and is used in curing skin afflictions and for recreational and wellness treatments in the town’s spas. With an incredible reputation as a key spa destination for more than 350 years, La Roche-Posay boasts several spa thermal treatment centres to choose from and is also home to the lovely and extensive gardens of the Parc Thermal, with its water features and interesting planting arrangements, which is open to the public and is well worth exploring.
5. Aix-les-Bains, Savoie
Finally, though there are many more spa towns that we could potentially mention, we have the pretty town of Aix-les-Bains. Discovered by the Romans, the natural thermal springs of the town have drawn people to the area for well over a thousand years. However, the height of Aix-les-Bains’ popularity was the 19th century when it was one of the de rigueur European spa destinations to go and “take the waters” of the British nobility and gentry. Due to this influx of tourism and, therefore, money at the time, many beautiful Belle Époque hotels, villas, and buildings remain as a reminder of this illustrious past. None of this is to say that Aix-les-Bains has fallen out of favour today. In fact, it is quite the opposite, with more than 30,000 visitors coming to take the waters in this charming town on the banks of Lake Bourget annually to this day. There are two thermal spas in town, the Thermes Nationaux and the Thermes de Marlioz, which offer treatments to help cure respiratory ailments and alleviate pain. Additionally, there are several other spa facilities and centres around town. The most well-known spa of all is, without a doubt, the beautiful Thermes Chevalley, where you can get various treatments including skincare services and massages or lounge in the indoor or outdoor pools and enjoy the health benefits of the sulphurous waters.
So, if you are planning on a vacation in France and were thinking of visiting a spa town, here are five of the best to choose from. Many are located in the Rhône-Alpes region so it may be best to base yourself out of a holiday rental in Rhône-Alpes. Happy relaxing!
Finally, though there are many more spa towns that we could potentially mention, we have the pretty town of Aix-les-Bains. Discovered by the Romans, the natural thermal springs of the town have drawn people to the area for well over a thousand years. However, the height of Aix-les-Bains’ popularity was the 19th century when it was one of the de rigueur European spa destinations to go and “take the waters” of the British nobility and gentry. Due to this influx of tourism and, therefore, money at the time, many beautiful Belle Époque hotels, villas, and buildings remain as a reminder of this illustrious past. None of this is to say that Aix-les-Bains has fallen out of favour today. In fact, it is quite the opposite, with more than 30,000 visitors coming to take the waters in this charming town on the banks of Lake Bourget annually to this day. There are two thermal spas in town, the Thermes Nationaux and the Thermes de Marlioz, which offer treatments to help cure respiratory ailments and alleviate pain. Additionally, there are several other spa facilities and centres around town. The most well-known spa of all is, without a doubt, the beautiful Thermes Chevalley, where you can get various treatments including skincare services and massages or lounge in the indoor or outdoor pools and enjoy the health benefits of the sulphurous waters.
So, if you are planning on a vacation in France and were thinking of visiting a spa town, here are five of the best to choose from. Many are located in the Rhône-Alpes region so it may be best to base yourself out of a holiday rental in Rhône-Alpes. Happy relaxing!
