Horseshoe Gallery

It’s a battle between old and new these days. Everything’s going obsolete, old-fashioned, outdated… You see, the past struggles to get a foothold in our ever-more avant-garde world. And yet, there’s a certain charm and nostalgia to things from the past, and a unique aesthetic that never really goes out of fashion. Look no further than Vichy for proof! Packed with architectural gems from different eras and artistic trends, “The Queen of Spa Towns” takes you on a delightful journey through time, as does this historical landmark before you. Introducing the Horseshoe Gallery, stretching along the walking paths on either side of the Parc des Sources. Photographers love to capture it and visitors are sure to enjoy strolling through it. Built on the former site of the city hospital, architects Charles Le Cœur and Lucien Woog designed these two semicircular shopping arcades in the late 1800s for the Compagnie Fermière de Vichy. By early summer 1899, 26 luxurious shops had opened their doors in this new shopping destination, located in the lively Source de l’Hôpital district. Back in the day, it was a hub for art galleries, jewelers and antique dealers, and it quickly became a favorite among Vichy’s bourgeois residents. Unfortunately, the Horseshoe Gallery fell out of favor over time. It got a new lease on life during the 2023 Parc des Sources renovation project. The city revitalized the area and found new tenants for the vacant shops, all while carefully preserving the historical character of this edifice, now listed as a historical monument. Forget chain stores – everything here is top-quality, reflecting the very essence of this special place.