One spa I must return to is the Célestins Spa Thermal & Hôtel in Vichy, France. This entire spa town is remarkable. The 5-star hotel is connected to the largest medical thermal spa in Europe and is home to the original, authentic Vichy spa treatment, which I experienced during my stay. If you’re seeking a luxurious and authentic European spa experience, Vichy is the place to be. After your treatment, you can relax and unwind with a thermal soak. Be sure to indulge in VICHY CÉLESTINS MINERAL WATER, which is exclusively available in this region.

Vichy is a true spa town. The spa district is geometric and formally laid out, sitting harmoniously with a bend of the River Allier and containing the principal springs and great thermal bath establishments, the drinking hall, promenades and parks, colonnades and pavilions, together with structures for leisure and pleasure including the elegant casino, the theater, the Hippodrome for Harness Racing, and shopping along the Promenade. You will want to refresh yourself at the public mineral water fountains, where Coco Chanel was once a “Water Girl”. 

Since Romans first settled the ancient Aquis Calidis around the hot mineral springs, the history of Vichy has been shaped by a long line of famous visitors, who contributed to build a legend around its waters and its quasi-miraculous benefits for health. You can feel like a Roman when you shop for your own Vichy products you can purchase and use at home. 

Vichy, France is a part of The Great Spa Towns of Europe is a ‘Serial Transnational’ World Heritage Site, made up of 11 famous historic spa towns and cities in seven European countries. This incredible site was recognized internationally when it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021 to preserve it for humanity. The ‘Great Spa Towns’, which for centuries have been using water, exercise, and cultural activities as an unbeatable recipe for wellness, can be found in Austria, Belgium, Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

Vichy, France is also a part of the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA). EHTTA is a membership organization representing historic thermal spa towns and regions across Europe. EHTTA was established as a non-profit association based on the need to encourage, protest and enhance thermal, artistic and cultural heritage throughout Europe. It is certified as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, one of 48 across Europe. 

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