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France
is dotted with natural thermal springs, many of which have been
in use as spas for over 2000 years. Public baths were a part of
the Roman culture so they were glad to find so many natural sources
in their newly conquered province of Gaul (the ancient name for
France). Many successful Roman colonies were set up where there
was a natural spring. Aix-en-Provence, Nimes, Arles and Dax are
examples of cities in the south that were founded as spa towns.
Some, like Dax still endure as major thermal centres.
Many
spas are in alpine areas and the waters are often thought to have
remedial properties. The global bottled water craze started in France
with Evian, Vittel, Volvic and a host of other spas bottling their
water (presumably before it reaches the pool).
In France,
spas are included in the national health system and there are hundreds
of spas all over the country specialising in every disorder and
condition imaginable. Most spas have a medical side and a wellbeing/fitness
side to them and many have their own accommodation. Clients can
purchase packages that include treatment, accommodation, meals and
activities and because there are so many spas, prices are reasonably
competitive.
As most
spas are in the mountains or on the coast they often compliment
the other tourism activities. For example the alpine spas are often
busier during the summer when there is no skiing, while the coastal
ones come alive outside of the peak summer months.
Coastal spa resorts usually offer something called Thalassotherapy
which is basically to do with sea water. Thalassa is the Greek word
for the sea which the French have hijacked. Probably more marketing
than science, but worth a shot if you want to pamper yourself.
Spa Resorts by Region
Aquitaine
Cambo-les-Bains
| 64250 | Airport Access Pau, Biarritz | Tel: 0 820 00 35 35
Dax |
40100 | Airport Access Biarritz | Tel: 05 58 56 86 86
Eugénie-les-Bains
| 40320 | Airport Access Biarritz | Tel: 05 58 05 06 06
Les-Eaux-Bonnes/Gourette
| | Airport Access Pau | Tel: 05 59 05 33 08
Préchacq-les-Bains
| 40465 | Airport Access Biarritz | Tel: 05 58 57 21 21
Saint-Lary-Soulan
| 65170 | Airport Access Toulouse, Pau
Saint-Paul-lès-Dax
| 40990 | Airport Access Pau | Tel: 05 58 90 66 00
Salies-de-Béarn
| 64270 | Airport Access Biarritz
Saubusse-les-Bains | 40180 | Airport Access Biarritz | Tel: 05 58
57 76 68
Auvergne
Bourbon-l'Archambault
| 03160 | Airport Access Lyon
Châteauneuf-les-Bains | 63390 | Airport Access Lyon | Tel:
04 73 86 67 86
Châtel-Guyon
| 63140 | Airport Access Lyon | Tel: 04 73 86 01 17
Chaudes-Aigues
| 15110 | Airport Access Lyon | Tel: 04 71 23 52 75
La Bourboule
| 63150 | Airport Access Lyon | Tel: 04 73 65 57 71
Le
Mont Dore | 63240 | Airport Access Lyon | Tel: 08 25 80 03 39
Neris-les-Bains
| Airport Access Lyon
Royat | 63130
| Airport Access Lyon
Saint-Nectaire | 63710 | Airport Access Lyon
Vichy
| 03200 | Airport Access Lyon
Bourbon-Lancy
| 71140 | Airport Access | Tel: 03 85 89 18 27
Saint
Honore-les-Bains | 58360 | Airport Access
Santenay
| 21590 | Airport Access | Tel: | | Airport Access | Tel:
Luxeuil-les-Bains
| 70300 | Airport Access Basel-Mulhouse | Tel: 03 84 40 44 22
Saint Claude | 39203 | Airport Access Basel-Mulhouse | Tel:
Salins-les-Bains
| 39110 | Airport Access Basel-Mulhouse | Tel:
Lons-le-Saunier
| 39000 | Airport Access Basel-Mulhouse | Tel: 03.84.24.65.01
Ile de France
Enghien-les-Bains
| 95880 | Airport Access Paris | Tel: 01 34 12 41 15
Languedoc-Roussillon
Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste
| 66233 | Airport Access Perpignan | Tel: 04 68 87 55 00
Alet les Bains | 11580 | Airport Access Carcassonne | Tel: 04 68
69 93 56
Allegre les
Fumades | 30500 | Airport Access Nimes, Montpellier | Tel: 04
66 54 08 08
Amélie
les Bains | 66112 | Airport Access Perpignan | Tel: 04 68 87
99 00
Avene
les Bains | 34260 | Airport Access Montpellier
Bagnols
les Bains | 48190 | Airport Access Nimes | Tel: 04 66 47 60
02
Bains de Dorres | 66800 | Airport Access Perpignan | Tel: 04 68
04 66 87
Bains
de Llo | 66800 | Airport Access Perpignan | Tel: 04 68 04 74
55
Bains
de Saint Thomas | 66360 | Airport Access Perpignan | Tel: 04
68 97 03 13
Balaruc
les Bains | 34540 | Airport Access Montpellier | Tel: 04 67
51 76 01
La Chaldette|
Airport Access | Tel: 04 66 31 68 00
Lamalou
les Bains | 34230 | Airport Access Montpellier | Tel: 08 25
82 50 07
Le
Boulou | 66160 | Airport Access Perpignan | Tel: 04 68 87 52
00
Molitg-les-Bains
| 66500 | Airport Access Perpignan | Tel: 04 68 05 00 50
Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste
| 66230 | Airport Access Perpignan | Tel:
Rennes les Bains | 11190 | Airport Access Perpignan | Tel: 04 68
69 88 04
Sainte-Odile
d'Avène | 34260 | Airport Access Montpellier | Tel: 04
67 23 43 38
Vernet-les-Bains
| 66820 | Airport Access Perpignan | Tel:
Limousin
Evaux-les-Bains
| 23110 | Airport Access Limoges | Tel: 05 55 65 50 90
Lorraine
Bains-les-Bains
| 88240 | Airport Access Paris | Tel: 03 29 36 32 04
Contrexéville
| 88140 | Airport Access Paris | Tel: 03 29 08 08 68
Niederbronn-les-Bains
| Airport Access Paris | Tel:
Plombières-les-Bains
| 88370 | Airport Access Paris | Tel:
Vittel
| 88804 | Airport Access Paris | Tel:
Midi - Pyrénées
Argeles-Gazost
| 65400 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel:
Aulus-les-Bains | 09140 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel:
Ax-les-Thermes
| 09110 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel:
Bagneres-de-Bigorre
| 65202 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel:
Bagnères-de-Luchon
| 31110 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel:
Bagneres-la-Mongie-la
Haute Bigorre | 65202 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel:
Barbazan | 31510 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel: 05 61 88 35 64
Barbotan-les-Thermes
| 32150 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel:
Bareges | 65120 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel: 05 62 92 68 02
Capvern-les-Bains | 65130 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel:
Castera-Verduzan
| 32410 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel: 05 62 68 10 66
Cauterets
| 65110 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel: 05 62 92 14 20
Luchon | 31110
| Airport Access Toulouse
Luz-Saint-Sauveur
| 65120 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel: 05 62 92 81 60
Saint-Lary-Soulan
| 65170 | Airport Access Toulouse
Salies-du-Salat | 31260 | Airport Access Toulouse | Tel: 05 61 90
53 93
Ussat-Les-Bains | 09400 | Airport Access Toulouse
Normandie
Bagnoles-de-l'Orne | 61140 | Airport Access Rennes, Tours
Poitou-Charente
Jonzac
| 17503 | Airport Access La Rochelle | Tel: 05 46 48 59 59
La Roche Posay
| 86270 | Airport Access La Rochelle | Tel: 05 49 19 13 00
Rochefort | 17300 | Airport Access La Rochelle
Saujon | 17600 | Airport Access La Rochelle
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Aix-en-Provence
| 13627 | Airport Access Marseille | Tel:
Berthemont-les-Bains
| 06450 | Airport Access Nice | Tel:
Digne-les-Bains
| 04000 | Airport Access Nice | Tel: 04 92 36 62 62
Greoux-les-Bains
| 04800 | Airport Access Nice | Tel: 08 20 82 52 70
Saint Laurent-les-Bains | 7590 | Airport Access Nice
Rhône-Alpes
Aix-les-Bains
| 73100 | Airport Access Lyon, Grenoble, Chambery
Allevard
| 38580 | Airport Access Lyon, Grenoble, Chambery
Brides-les-Bains
| 73572 | Airport Access Chambéry
Challes-les-Eaux
| 73190 | Airport Access Lyon, Grenoble, Chambery
Divonne-les-Bains
| 01220 | Airport Access Lyon, Grenoble, Chambery | Tel: 04 50 20
01 22
Montbrun-les-Bains
| 26570 | Airport Access Lyon, Grenoble, Chambery | Tel: 04 75 28
82 49
Montrond-les-Bains
| 42210 | Airport Access Lyon, Grenoble, Chambery | Tel: 04 77 94
64 74
Thonon-les-Bains
| 74200 | Airport Access Lyon, Grenoble, Chambery
Uriage
| 38410 | Airport Access Lyon, Grenoble, Chambery
Vals-les-Bains
| 07600 | Airport Access Lyon, Grenoble, Chambery
Évian-les-Bains
| 74501 | Airport Access Basel-Mulhouse | Tel: 04 50 75 04 26
La Lechere
| 73260 | Airport Access Basel-Mulhouse | Tel: 04 79 22 51 60
Bourbonne-les-Bains
| 52400 | Airport Access | Tel: 03 25 90 01 71
Cransac-les-Thermes
| 12110 | Airport Access | Tel: 05 65 63 09 83
Sail-les-Bains | 42310 | Airport Access
Saint-Amand-les-Eaux
| 59230 | Airport Access
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