Dômes Thermal Center

We need but a few keywords to describe this imposing building standing before you: care, dietetics and physical therapy. This place has a rich history and it’s still one of the city’s must-see attractions. And it’s all thanks to Charles Fère, director of the Vichy Thermal Company, a leading name for hydrotreatment, hotels, and mineral waters since the mid-19th century. You see, this building was his idea! Construction started in 1898 to designs by architects Charles Le Coeur and Lucien Woog, and it took a little over three years to build. Its Roman-Byzantine architecture is truly remarkable, with its two ceramic-covered domes dominating the city skyline. These were once used as spring-water tanks. The building is huge – over 170 meters long and 165 meters wide, stretching over 2 hectares. It was truly built to impress, and when it opened in 1903, it was the largest and best-equipped thermal spa in all of France. It was also cutting-edge, with all the latest spa treatment features. That’s partially how it managed to meet the strictest medical and sanitary requirements of the time. But the Dômes Thermal Center does much more than just welcoming first-class patients. It treats all people with metabolic problems and chronic conditions, offering programs that last several weeks. Just to give you an idea, around 150 clients can be treated here daily, from March to December, for obesity, rheumatism, joint problems, and other health concerns. We can’t stress this enough: A visit to Vichy is a chance for you to prioritize your well-being! Before you leave, be sure to check out the lobby where you’ll find frescoes by Alphonse Osbert, a gorgeous oriental-style ceiling, and floor mosaics, all hinting at the beauty of the center’s interior. Fun fact: part of the building was listed as a historical monument in 1989, and it’s easy to see why!