Vichy

Visit Vichy, Auvergne

Vichy is a town situated to the north-east of Clermont-Ferrand, and is the second largest town in the Auvergne.

Exploring Vichy

Although the town is not a major tourist destination there are some sights of interest in Vichy, which is also an important spa town, very popular among those seeking the healing powers of the local water.

Much of the town dates from the 19th and 20th centuries,in part due to the development of the spa waters industry since that time - it was Napoleon III who first brought these to the attention of the public. There are several different natural water sources in the town, some war and others cold. (Vichy also produces bottled waters that are exported around the world under the names of Vichy Celestins and Vichy Saint-Yorre and are also atributed various health properties.)

Although most of Vichy dates from the late 19th century onwards there are certain monuments that are older. These include the remaining parts of the Convent of the Celestins (in the park of the same name) dates from the 15th century, and was originally part of a benedictine monastery. The Castel Franc also dates from the 15th century, although the principal facade was rebuilt in the 19th century.

The houses along the Boulevard des Etats-Unis, dating from the epoch when the town started to develop under Napoleon (1860-1870), are also interesting (and in a style that is very unusual in the Auvergne - these include the Chalet Marie-Louise, the Chalet de Clermont-Tonnere and the Chalet de l'Empereur. The Parc Napoleon III was also part of this new development.

The Palace of Congress (opera) building dates from the same period but stands in complete contrast, with its ornately decorated facade also incorporating art nouveau elements.

You can also see the ornate buildings that were the grand hotels where visitors to the spa town stayed in the early 20th century, stroll along the pleasant boulevards and walk along the banks of the river.

Note: as well as the thermal spa waters made popular by Napoleon Vichy is also well known for its role as seat of the government of 'unoccupied France' during the Second World War, under the rule of Marshal Pétain (they were based in the Palace of congress building).

See Auvergne and Allier (the region and department for Vichy) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Vichy: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 4*;

Suggested places to visit near Vichy, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Thiers 31km; Riom 35km; Mozac 39km; Volvic 41km; Clermont-Ferrand 47km; Souvigny 49km; Moulins 49km;

Vichy tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Parc du domaine royal de Randan - remarkable garden (13km) : Chareil-Cintrat Chateau - national monument (22km) : Collégiale Saint-Victor et Sainte-Couronne d'Ennezat (Ennezat) - religious monument (29km) : Abbatial church de Saint Pierre de Mozac (Mozac) - religious monument (34km) : Marsat - town of art and history (39km) : Aulteribe Chateau - national monument (40km) : Eglise de Sainte-Marie-Madeleine (Neuilly-en-Donjon) - religious monument (43km) : Parc du château de Blanzat - remarkable garden (43km) :

See more places and a map at places near Vichy