Health & Wellness in Vichy

The ‘Queen of the Spa Towns’ was not conceived in a day, and her springs were not born from recent rain. They have been circulating happily for centuries, and have been used since the Roman times.

Their virtues for the treatment of joint ailments and digestive disorders have been beneficial to many spa guests, and their beneficial flow has also influenced the town planning, architecture and aesthetics of the spa town.

Not only has it greatly contributed to the creation of the nineteenth century culture of The Great Spa Towns of Europe, but it has served as a benchmark in France and abroad.

Experiencing a spa treatment at The Thermes ‘Les Dômes’ means immersing yourself in the refinement and atmosphere of a unique, listed historical monument located in the heart of Vichy. This grand bathing establishment as modelled on Iranian architecture, to indicate the presence of the great baths. Medical and preventative treatments target obesity and joint diseases, but the thermal baths are also open to the residents of Vichy.

Under a high dome in yellow and blue glazed tiles, visitors can enjoy the swimming pool and thermal water bubbling baths, massaging jets, hamam, sauna, hammam, whirlpool bath, organic herbal tea room, Vichy Célestins water and a halotherapy room (salt cave).

The spa, one of the largest in Europe, is connected to the 5* hotel Vichy Celestins.  It is largely focused on “lifestyle” medicine, based on Vichy’s mineral water. Their approach includes applying the Vichy Method; a holistic and personally tailored approach to health, nutrition, wellbeing and beauty.  The spa also has a dedicated corner of Vichy Laboratories, as well as anti-aging treatments from SkinCeuticals.

The Callou Thermal Baths is a centre of expertise in thermal medicine, with a host of medical practices, nurses, healthcare professionals, dieticians/nutritionists, a health auditorium with demonstrations and culinary workshops – all alongside thermal baths with Vichy’s reviving mineral water.

The Callou Thermal Baths and The Thermes ‘Les Dômes’ are both directly connected to the Mercure and Ibis hotels, allowing guests to walk to the spas in their bathrobes, from the comfort of their hotel stay.  Preventive healthcare programmes are also expanding, matching today’s guest needs and requirements.

In 1931, after experimenting on the dermatological benefits of the Source Lucas, Dr Haller and Georges Guerin were the first to use thermal water in cosmetology.  The company they founded was bought by L’Oréal in 1955 and has grown to become an internationally famous brand. 

The Vichy factory, which employs over 500 people, is close to Vichy’s thermal springs, and is renowned all over the world for its innovating expertise in dermocosmetics.  The Vichy brand comprises 200 products sold in 60 countries and 85,000 pharmacies.

Vichy Célestins water, known to help the complexion and digestion, is used in cooking at several of the hotel restaurants, linked to the Vichy thermal baths.  This healthy cuisine, supervised by spa dieticians, was awarded the European Spas Association prize in 2014.  Spa visitors will benefit from a more digestible cuisine that preserves minerals and is better balanced in salt – thanks to the bicarbonate naturally present in Vichy Célestins water.