My 15 French Spa Towns: Your Passport to Health and Tranquility

Bonjour bonjour,

Are you a fan of spas or hot tubs?

Or are you just looking for a clue to your crossword puzzle? I know the song my friend 🙂

Looking for a list of the best French spa towns?

Personally, I love hot tubs and I regularly test the spas in the French cities I visit.

Here is my personal selection of great spa towns in France.

— Christine

PS : I love crosswords…too 😉

15 Best French Spa Towns

I have selected for you the best French spa towns to visit during yours holidays or week-ends:

15. Chaudes-Aigues – 891 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (South Central France)
• Department : Cantal (15)
• Population : 891 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Clermont-Ferrand, Aurillac, Le Puy-en-Velay, Rodez…
• Description: Chaudes-Aigues is a picturesque spa town known for its hot springs, with water temperatures reaching up to 82°C (179.6°F). The town is nestled in the volcanic region of Auvergne, offering visitors a combination of thermal treatments and beautiful landscapes.

14. Plombières-les-Bains – 1,699 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Grand Est (Northeastern France)
• Department : Vosges (88)
• Population : 1,699 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Épinal, Nancy, Mulhouse, Besançon…
• Description: Plombières-les-Bains is a historic spa town with a rich heritage dating back to Roman times. Known for its therapeutic waters, the town offers visitors an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate in a picturesque setting with beautiful gardens and architecture.

13. Bourbonne-les-Bains – 2,118 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Grand Est (Northeastern France)
• Department : Haute-Marne (52)
• Population : 2,118 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Dijon, Nancy, Chaumont, Langres…
• Description: Bourbonne-les-Bains is a charming spa town with a long history of thermal treatments. The town’s thermal baths are fed by hot springs, which have been used for their curative properties since Roman times. Visitors can also explore the town’s rich heritage through its museums, churches, and historical buildings.

12. Bagnères-de-Luchon – 2,384 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Occitanie (Southwestern France)
• Department : Haute-Garonne (31)
• Population : 2,384 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Toulouse, Tarbes, Pau, Foix…
• Description: Bagnères-de-Luchon, often referred to as “Queen of the Pyrenees” (FR : la Reine des Pyrénées) is a spa town surrounded by majestic mountains. Its thermal baths offer relaxation and therapeutic treatments, while the town itself is a gateway to various outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and mountain biking.

11. Salins-les-Bains – 2,551 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (Eastern France)
• Department : Jura (39)
• Population : 2,551 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Besançon, Dole, Lons-le-Saunier, Pontarlier…
• Description: Salins-les-Bains is a historic spa town famous for its salt mines and thermal baths. The town’s Great Saltworks has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can explore the town’s rich history, indulge in spa treatments, and enjoy the beautiful surrounding landscapes.

10. Bourbon-l’Archambault – 2,556 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (East Center of France)
• Department : Allier (03)
• Population : 2,556 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Moulins, Montluçon, Vichy, Nevers…
• Description: Bourbon-l’Archambault is a historic spa town known for its medieval castle and thermal baths. Once a stronghold of the Bourbon dynasty, the town offers visitors a glimpse into its rich history through its well-preserved architecture and cultural sites. Bourbon-l’Archambault also provides a variety of leisure activities, including hiking and horseback riding.

9. Bagnoles-de-l’Orne – 2,697 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Normandy (Northwestern France)
• Department : Orne (61)
• Population : 2,697 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Caen, Alençon, Le Mans, Rennes…
• Description: Bagnoles-de-l’Orne is a charming spa town set amidst the Andaine Forest in Normandy. Known for its Belle Époque architecture and thermal baths, the town offers a relaxing atmosphere for visitors seeking wellness treatments. Bagnoles-de-l’Orne also boasts a casino, golf course, and picturesque lake.

8. Royat – 4,775 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (South Central France)
• Department : Puy-de-Dôme (63)
• Population : 4,775 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Clermont-Ferrand, Vichy, Thiers, Issoire…
• Description: Royat is a picturesque spa town located at the foot of the Puy de Dôme, a dormant volcano in the Massif Central. The town is known for its thermal baths, which offer treatments for various ailments. The surrounding landscapes and proximity to the city of Clermont-Ferrand make it an attractive destination for visitors.

7. Vittel – 5,213 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Grand Est (Northeastern France)
• Department : Vosges (88)
• Population : 5,213 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Épinal, Nancy, Metz, Chaumont…
• Description: Vittel is a renowned spa town famous for its mineral water, which is bottled and distributed worldwide. The town offers visitors a range of spa and wellness treatments in its thermal establishments. Vittel is also known for its lush parks and gardens, creating a tranquil atmosphere for relaxation and rejuvenation.

6. Évian-les-Bains – 8,968 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (East Central France)
• Department : Haute-Savoie (74)
• Population : 8,968 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Geneva (Switzerland), Annecy, Thonon-les-Bains, Lausanne (Switzerland)…
• Description: Évian-les-Bains is a beautiful spa town situated on the shores of Lake Geneva. The town is world-famous for its natural mineral water, which is bottled and distributed globally. Évian-les-Bains offers visitors a variety of wellness facilities, as well as stunning views of the lake and the nearby mountains.

5. Divonne-les-Bains – 9,286 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (East Central France)
• Department : Ain (01)
• Population : 9,286 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Geneva (Switzerland), Annecy, Bourg-en-Bresse, Lausanne (Switzerland)…
• Description: Divonne-les-Bains is a picturesque spa town located near the Swiss border, offering visitors a peaceful retreat for relaxation and wellness. The town is known for its thermal baths, which are fed by naturally heated springs. Divonne-les-Bains offers a range of outdoor activities, including golf, hiking, and horseback riding.

4. Enghien-les-Bains – 11,413 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Île-de-France (Northern Central France)
• Department : Val-d’Oise (95)
• Population : 11,413 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Paris, Saint-Denis, Argenteuil, Versailles…
• Description: Enghien-les-Bains is a spa town located just north of Paris, making it an accessible destination for those seeking relaxation and wellness. The town is known for its thermal baths and casino, offering visitors a range of leisure activities in a charming setting.

3. Dax – 20,683 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Southwestern France)
• Department : Landes (40)
• Population : 20,683 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Bayonne, Mont-de-Marsan, Pau, Bordeaux…
• Description: Dax is a vibrant spa town known for its hot springs and mud treatments. Located in the heart of the Landes region, Dax offers visitors a rich cultural experience with its museums, events, and historical sites, as well as a variety of wellness and spa facilities.

2. Vichy – 24,980 habitants

Vichy is one of the UNESCO “The Great Spa Towns of Europe”.

The Great Spa Towns of Europe is a transnational serial property featuring 11 spa towns across 7 European countries, renowned for their natural mineral water springs.

These towns showcase the development of European spa culture from the 18th century to the 1930s.

Featuring grand international resorts, therapy buildings, and picturesque landscapes.

• Country : France
• Region : Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (East Center of France)
• Department : Allier (03)
• Population : 24,980 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, Roanne, Limoges…
• Description: Vichy is a historic spa town famous for its thermal springs and elegant architecture. Once known as the “Queen of the spa towns“, (FR : la Reine des villes thermales) Vichy offers visitors a range of wellness and spa treatments, as well as a rich cultural experience through its museums, parks, and historical sites.

1. Aix-les-Bains – 29,822 habitants

• Country : France
• Region : Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (East Center of France)
• Department : Savoie (73)
• Population : 29,822 habitants
• Near the French cities of: : Lyon, Geneva (Switzerland), Grenoble, Chambéry…
• Description: Aix-les-Bains is a picturesque spa town nestled between Lake Bourget and the mountains of the Massif des Bauges. The town is renowned for its thermal baths, which have been used for relaxation and wellness since Roman times. Aix-les-Bains offers travellers a variety of outdoor activities, including watersports, hiking, and skiing.

People also ask about French spa towns :

What French city is known for spas?

Vichy is the best known French city for spas, nicknamed “Queen of Spas” (FR: la Reine des spas).

Vichy is located in region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, in East Center of France.

Vichy is near to the French cities of Lyon (165 km), Clermont-Ferrand (57 km) and about 360 km from Paris.

Please read above my list of best spa towns in France.

How many spa towns are there in France?

There are more than 50 spa towns in France.

France is known for its great thermal spa towns and hot baths like Vichy, Aix-les-Bains, Evian-les-Bains, Dax…etc

Please read above my list of best French spa towns.

What does spa mean in towns?

“Spa in towns” could have 2 significations in France :

1. Spa towns like thermal cities with thermal baths and hot baths
2. S.P.A is also the French acronym for “Société de Protection des Animaux” (FR), The First Association of Animal Protection in France !

Please read above my list of best French spa towns.

What is the French spa town on a lake?

There is a lot of French spa town on a lake, like :

1. Aix-les-Bains with the Bourget Lake (fr : le lac du Bourget)
2. Enghien-les-Bains with the Enghien Lake (fr : le lac d’Enghien)
3. Évian-les-Bains with the Léman Lake (fr : le lac Léman)
4. …etc

Please read above my list of best French spa towns.

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