In France’s central region of Auvergne, some 200 volcanoes have shaped the landscape into rolling hills, meadows, lakes and waterfalls. Though dormant, volcanic energy still pulses through the region, and mineral-rich springs have created one of Europe’s most distinctive — though overlooked — wellness destinations.
France’s tradition of thermalism dates back to Roman times, but its tradition of hydrotherapy, known as les cures thermales, is not simply about soaking to relax. While many countries around the world swear by the curative properties of their hot springs, France sets itself apart by integrating them into its healthcare system. French doctors can prescribe spa stays in one of the country’s one hundred and thirteen thermal spas, which means that those suffering from a series of ailments can take the waters as state-funded guests for three week-long stints. In 2024, over 470,000 French people undertook thermal cures in France, targeting a series of chronic rheumatological, dermatological, or respiratory conditions.
Cascade des Veyrines, Cantal
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The Spa Route of the Massif Central runs through 17 spa towns spread across four regions in central France, constituting an important part of France’s tourism industry, particularly in the rural and mountainous regions of France’s interior. In Auvergne, a rich tradition of thermalism took off in the 19th century, when spas became not only places of medical treatment, but centres of social life, attracting artists, aristocrats, writers and political figures.
Yet despite its famous travellers, breathtaking countryside and renowned gastronomy, this corner of central France remains largely under the radar. “Auvergne is more of a secret than a province,” journalist Alexandre Vialatte famously wrote of his native region. “It’s when you’ve found it that you seek it the most.” These are the loveliest spa towns across Auvergne, France’s lesser-known wellness region.
Church Saint-Blaise in Vichy, France
Leks052/Getty ImagesVichy
The hot springs of Vichy were first harnessed by the Romans, who established the Aquae Calidae (hot waters) in the first century B.C. But it wasn’t until much later, during the Second Empire, that Vichy rose to prominence under Emperor Napoleon III, who transformed the town into a luxurious spa destination with grand hotels, parks and a casino. “I like Vichy more than anywhere else because it’s all my creation”, he declared in 1864. The town continues to celebrate its founding history with a dedicated festival every month of May, in which locals parade down the streets in period costumes.