Figure 1.--After the Napoleonic Wars, balneology became important with the development of a preoccupations with health-conscious in the 19th century. It occurred along with the rise of a wealthy middle class as a result of the rise of industrial Europe. They began to challenge the reigning aristocracy. Along with this there was the beginning of the leisure-oriented society. Vichy became known as the Queen of Spas. There were many competiors in France, Germany, and other countries. Vichy played a major role in the development of the 19th century European spa culture.

Vichy has a substantial history. It enters history as the result of Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sévigné. She was a patient st VIcvhy (1676-77). She wouls bring Vichy's Thermal Baths tyo thec attention of her aristocrtic friends in her letters. She believed that the Vichy waters cured the paralysis in her hands that helped resume letter-writing. A century later, princesses Adélaïde and Victoire of France, the daughters of King Louis XV, came to Vichy (1761). They were not impressed with the facilities. They convinced their nephew, tyhe future Louis XVI to build more luxurious thermal baths. They were completed in 1787. with the Revolution, Laetitia Bonaparte, Napoleon's mother arrived in Vichy with her son Louis. The Emperor ordered the Parc des Sources (1812). After the Napoleonic Wars, balneology became important with the development of a preoccupations with health-conscious in the 19th century. It occurred along with the rise of a wealthy middle class as a result of the rise of industrial Europe. They began to challenge the reigning aristocracy. Along with this there was the beginning of the leisure-oriented society. Vichy became known as the Queen of Spas. There were many competiors in France, Germany, and other countries. Vichy played a major role in the development of the 19th century European spa culture. It is the most prestigious and well-known of all French spas. It is seen by many as the model spa. Vichy is located on a flat plain along the River Allier. One author describes it as combining 'Parisian urban principles with a spa promenade'. Emperor Napoleon III took a special interest in Vichy. He promoted the creation of a new spa town with parks and boulevards, seeing Vichy as a cosmopolitan ‘Little Paris. The Emperor's support led to Vichy rise among French spa towns. There were grand bath complexes, fed by pump rooms. This covered promenades connected casinos, theaters, hotels and stately villas. The luster of Vichy was tarnished by Pétain's, colaborationist regime. Spas never regained their pre-War status as it was beaches that dominated the post-War era. Vichy bottled water became famous--'reine des villes d’eaux'. It became exported to countries rund the world. This became the basis for trademarked cosmetics and other skin care products coming out of the Vichy Laboratories, becoming a leading European skincare brand.

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Created: 5:10 AM 12/16/2023
Last updated: 5:10 AM 12/16/2023