Short history of spa in France
A healing water for the Celts and Romans
Spring water has always been considered as a beneficial possibility. For the Celts, they were often linked to a healing god, or even to the Mother Goddess. They drank the water while praying to be cured. This practice was continued by the first Christians who often replaced the local god by a holy healer. We can still see, especially in Brittany, these sacred springs. Very often, a few steps allow access to them.
Fontain in Brittany par Atonaltzin/Shutterstock.com
Many spas were founded by the Romans
The inventors of thermalism, if I may say so, are the Romans. The word derives from the "thermal baths" that they invented. Thermal baths were places of cleanliness essential to any Roman citizen and, as a result, the Romans built them everywhere in the Empire. One washed oneself there, one also discussed there... These same Romans, having conquered Gaul, noticed the properties of certain springs and exploited them. They even went so far as to build cities around them, such as Aquae Sextar, Aix les Bains today, or Vichy or Plombières les Bains in the Vosges for the oldest "thermal spas".
Forgotten in the Middle Ages, the thermal towns became the stars of the 18th and 19th centuries
The Marquise de Sévigné (attributed to Lefebvre)
A little forgotten in the Middle Ages, the "healing" waters came back in force during the Renaissance. It even became very chic to go "take the waters". One bathed there (dressed!), one took care of oneself by taking the time, one also relaxed. This is why many spies took the waters at the same time as important personalities. To listen... The 17th and 17th century saw many "people" going to the water cities. In Plombières les bains, Madame de Sévigné, Madame de Maintenon, stars of the court of Louis XIV, took a break and wrote letters. The 19th century is the great era of thermalism. The towns became magnificent and new ones were even built around the recently discovered springs as in Vittel or Contrexéville at the end of the 19th century.
And today?
The springs continue to be exploited nowadays. New ones are even used today, as in Nancy where Nancy Thermal will soon open its doors to allow access to naturally hot water and the treatments that go with it, while enjoying a brand new complex in a city of 300,000 inhabitants. It must be said that the spa industry is doing well in France. There are 89 thermal spas, 109 establishments that capture 770 springs, i.e. 20% of the European capital. Springs that have become sacred again, in a way, since everything is done to protect them from pollution...
NDAB Creativity/Shutterstock.com
Our 5 favorite resorts :
Vittel :
With a huge 400-hectare spa riddled with delightful buildings, a town whose plans were drawn by the Architect of the Paris Opera: Charles Garnier. Also to be seen, just next door, Contrexéville and its thermal gallery. Fans of architecture will find there their account.
More informations about the city
Plombières les bains :
It is one of the oldest thermal spas in France and has long been a popular place for people taking the waters in the past. It has seen Madame de Sévigné, Montaigne, Madame de Maintenon, Beaumarchais, Voltaire and it is there that in 1859 Count Cavour and Emperor Napoleon III signed the treaty of Plombières which confirmed the birth of Italy. Nicknamed "the city of 1000 balconies", it is nestled in a valley and has a great charm.
More informations about the city
Bagnoles de l'Orne :
In Normandy. Very small resort, but nice place on the edge of a lake and in the middle of the forest. The ideal place to recharge your batteries away from the noise.
More information about the city
Bagnoles de L'orne par malgosia janicka/Shutterstock.com
Cambo les bains :
Very close to the Atlantic Ocean, especially to Biarritz very chic seaside resort, and near the mountain, Cambo les bains is the nice surprise in the south-east.
More informations about the city
Cambo-les-Bains, France - 10 octobre 2016 Canal central avec fontaines dans les jardins français de la Villa Arnaga à Cambo-les-Bains Sasha64f.
Vichy:
It is perhaps the most beautiful spa in France in terms of architecture. The thermal establishments, the theater, the hotels... Everything is beautiful in Vichy.
Opéra de vichy par RossHelenmalgosia janicka/Shutterstock.com
