10 French Spa Towns Worth the Trip
French spa towns have been drawing visitors for centuries. Not just for the mineral-rich waters, but for the grand architecture, mountain settings, and lakefront views. Some were playgrounds for royalty. Others are hidden in the Alps or tucked into green valleys.
If you’re looking for a place to unwind, here are ten of the best spa towns in France, each with its own unique charm.
1. Vichy – The Iconic Spa Destination
Vichy is France’s most famous spa town, a one-hour drive from Clermont-Ferrand. Romans bathed here centuries ago, but it was Napoleon III who turned it into a luxury retreat in the 19th century.
Grand hotels, landscaped parks, and elegant boulevards still give the town a refined and elegant atmosphere.
The Vichy Célestins Spa Hôtel is the most prestigious wellness center, offering hydrotherapy, mineral baths, and skincare treatments using Vichy’s naturally carbonated spring water.
Nearby, Les Thermes des Dômes is housed in a grand 1903 building and also provides traditional thermal treatments, including mud therapy and mineral water baths.
Beyond the spas, the town has plenty to explore. Napoleon III Park runs along the Allier River, ideal for walks. The Opéra de Vichy Art Nouveau masterpiece reflects the town’s high-society past. Also, Les Halles de Vichy offers regional cheeses and gourmet products.
2. Évian-les-Bains – Lake Geneva’s Wellness Retreat
Évian-les-Bains (Haute-Savoie) sits on the southern shore of Lake Geneva – 1.5 hours from Geneva. Its mineral-rich spring water, naturally filtered through Alpine rock, has been bottled and sold worldwide since the 19th century.
The town itself is an elegant lakeside retreat, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
The Thermes d’Évian is the main spa, offering hydrotherapy, massages, and beauty treatments using the town’s famous mineral water. Visitors can also drink directly from the Cachat Spring, the original source of Évian water.
The lakefront promenade is beautiful, lined with gardens, cafés, and Belle Époque architecture. You can catch a boat cruise for incredible views of the Swiss Alps, or explore the hiking trails for panoramic lookouts.
In winter, ski resorts like Thollon-les-Mémises are a short drive away. The Palais Lumière, a former thermal center, now hosts exhibitions and cultural events in a beautifully restored building.
3. Aix-les-Bains – Spa Town by France’s Largest Lake
Aix-les-Bains sits on Lake Bourget, about 20 minutes from Chambéry. The Romans used its thermal waters, but it was in the 19th century that the town became a major spa destination, attracting aristocrats, artists, and writers.
The Thermes Chevalley is the main spa today with thermal pools, mud treatments, and hydrotherapy using the town’s naturally warm mineral water. The old Thermes Nationaux is no longer in use but still stands as a reminder of Aix’s golden spa era.
The lakefront promenade is perfect for a stroll and boat cruises take visitors to quiet beaches and nearby villages. At the Aqualis center, you can learn about the lake’s unique ecosystem. The Dent du Chat trail leads up to a stunning lookout.
The Belle Époque casino, one of the oldest in France, still hosts games, concerts, and events in an opulent setting.
The local markets, held several times a week, are packed with fresh Alpine cheeses, regional wines, and Savoie specialties like tartiflette and diots sausages.
4. Enghien-les-Bains – Spa Escape Near Paris
Just 20 minutes from central Paris, Enghien-les-Bains is the only thermal spa town in the Paris region. Its sulfur-rich waters have been used for treatments since the 19th century – a popular retreat for Parisians looking to unwind.
The Thermes d’Enghien is the main spa, offering thermal baths, steam rooms, and specialized treatments for skin and respiratory conditions. The lakefront promenade is a peaceful spot for a walk, with cafés and parks along the water.
The town is also home to France’s largest casino, a grand Belle Époque building that hosts gaming, concerts, and dining with a view of the lake. The Théâtre du Casino, part of the complex, puts on performances and cultural events year-round.
Markets and boutique shops line the streets. An easy and relaxing day trip from Paris.
5. Dax – The Home of Thermal Mud
Dax, an hour from Bayonne, is France’s top destination for thermal mud treatments. The town’s Peloïde de Dax, a mix of mineral water and river mud, has been used for centuries to treat arthritis and joint pain.
The Thermes de Dax and several other spas offer mud wraps, hydrotherapy, and mineral baths designed for long-term wellness. The Fontaine Chaude, a natural hot spring in the town center, has been flowing since Roman times and still reaches 64°C (147°F).
Dax has a lively atmosphere beyond the spas. The old town has Roman ruins, traditional half-timbered houses, and a riverside promenade.
The Les Halles market is a must for fresh seafood, local cheeses, and Armagnac brandy. Every summer, the Feria de Dax brings huge crowds for bullfighting, music, and street parties – one of the biggest events in southwestern France.
6. Bagnères-de-Luchon – Spa Town in the Pyrenees
Bagnères-de-Luchon, 1.5 hours from Toulouse, is a mountain spa town known for its sulfur-rich thermal waters. Its baths have been used since Roman times to treat respiratory and skin conditions.
The Thermes Chambert, housed in a grand 19th-century building, has thermal pools, steam baths, and hydrotherapy treatments. The Vaporarium, a natural underground steam cave offers a unique sauna-like experience – the only one of its kind in Europe,
Luchon is also a year-round adventure hub. In the summer, hiking trails lead into the Pyrenees, with routes to lakes, waterfalls, and scenic mountain passes.
In the winter, the Luchon-Superbagnères ski resort is just above the town. The Allées d’Étigny, the town’s main street, is lined with cafés, boutiques, and Belle Époque buildings.
7. Amélie-les-Bains – Catalan Touch
Amélie-les-Bains sits in the foothills of the Pyrenees, about 40 minutes from Perpignan. Its thermal waters have been used since Roman times, and the town remains a top destination for rheumatism and respiratory treatments.
The Thermes d’Amélie offers thermal baths, mud therapy, and steam treatments, with mineral-rich waters flowing from underground springs. The Roman baths are partially preserved within the spa complex – among the oldest in France still in use today.
Surrounded by the Vallespir Valley, the town has a relaxed Mediterranean feel, with palm trees, sunny terraces, and Catalan influences in its food and festivals. The Fort-les-Bains 17th-century fortress overlooks the town.
Hiking trails lead into the hills with views over the Tech River and beyond. The weekly market is full of local cheeses, charcuterie, and Catalan pastries.
8. Saint-Gervais-les-Bains – Mountain Spa With a Mont Blanc View
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, one hour from Geneva, is one of the few spa towns in France set right in the Alps, with thermal waters and direct access to Mont Blanc.
Its natural hot springs, heated by underground volcanic activity, have been used for centuries to treat joint and muscle pain.
The Thermes de Saint-Gervais offers thermal pools, steam rooms, and hydrotherapy treatments, all set in a scenic river gorge. The mineral-rich water flows at a natural 39°C (102°F) and is said to help with skin conditions and circulation.
The town is also a major Alpine destination. In winter, it connects to the Evasion Mont-Blanc ski area, with over 400 km of slopes. In summer, hiking trails lead to panoramic viewpoints and high-altitude lakes.
The Mont Blanc Tramway, one of the highest cog railways in France, takes visitors up to 2,372 meters for breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.
9. Cambo-les-Bains in the Basque Countryside
Cambo-les-Bains, 30 minutes from Bayonne, is a green, rolling-hill retreat in the heart of French Basque Country. Its mild climate and thermal waters have made it a popular spa destination for over a century, especially for rheumatism and respiratory treatments.
The Thermes de Cambo has thermal pools, steam rooms, and specialized treatments using warm, mineral-rich water.
The town itself has a laid-back feel, with gardens, traditional Basque houses, and scenic walking paths along the Nive River.
One of the main landmarks is the Villa Arnaga, a grand mansion built by playwright Edmond Rostand, now a museum showcasing Basque architecture and beautifully landscaped gardens.
The local market, held twice a week, is packed with Basque cheeses, cured meats, and regional pastries like gâteau basque.
Hiking trails around the town lead to viewpoints over the Pyrenees and quiet villages known for their half-timbered houses and red shutters.
10. Bagnoles-de-l’Orne: Fairytale Spa Town in Normandy
Bagnoles-de-l’Orne is Normandy’s only spa town, set in the Andaines Forest. Its thermal waters, naturally rich in minerals, have been used since the Middle Ages to treat circulatory and muscular issues.
The Thermes de Bagnoles offers hydrotherapy, thermal baths, and wellness programs, all surrounded by peaceful woodlands.
The town itself feels straight out of a storybook, with Belle Époque villas, a lakeside promenade, and manicured gardens.
The Casino de Bagnoles is housed in a grand historic building, hosting games, concerts, and events. Nearby, the Château Hôtel de Ville, a former manor, now serves as the town hall.
For nature lovers, the Andaines Forest has hiking and cycling trails, with quiet paths leading to scenic viewpoints and hidden lakes. The local market is a great place to find Normandy cider, cheeses, and fresh pastries.