Thermal spa Vichy queen of spas

Vichy, queen of spas

Vichy, an elegant Belle Époque pearl, remains a spa with an incomparable charm.

The ultimate thermal spa, located on the banks of the River Allier, Vichy is recognised throughout the world. It enjoys a privileged location where parks and gardens along the river invite the visitor to linger and relax. The town is a leading European centre devoted to beauty, health, fitness and leisure with modern, multi-function facilities. Horse racing, sky diving, golf, a prestigious opera house, this town has everything. A major architectural renovation and reorganisation project in the town centre has also made it an ideal place for shopping and leisure. The town has a surprising cultural heritage with many beautiful residencies and private manor houses, colonial and oriental style buildings and, of course, the former private chalets of Napoleon III.

In Vichy, the Belle Époque is alive and well !

Vichy Tourist Office : +33 (0) 4 70 98 71 94 - tourisme@ville-vichy.fr - www.ville-vichy.fr

> Find out more...

Musée des arts d’Afrique et d’Asie (Museum of African and Asian Art)

Catholic missionaries never returned empty-handed from their trips to Africa and Asia. Founded in 1923 the Maison du Missionnaire in Vichy was host to these religious men and women who came to take the waters. Rapidly a museum was opened to display the “exotic” objects collected during their missions abroad. Renovated between 2000 and 2002, the new Museum of African and Asian Art is much more than a collection of ethnographic curiosities. Its aim is to further understanding of the artistic heritage of these continents, to present the richness and diversity of exchanges between civilisations and to promote intercultural exchanges through a series of temporary exhibitions. Two are scheduled until October 31st: Madagascar, paroles d’ancêtres (African music, stories and proverbs) and Masques d’Afrique de l’Ouest (West African masks).

Tel : +33 (0) 4 70 97 76 40 - www.musee-aaa.com

> Find out more...

Musée de l’Opéra (Vichy Opera Museum)

At its apogee before World War II, Vichy was nicknamed the “French Bayreuth” for the exceptional quality of its cultural season. In 2002, thanks to the Noëlle and Gabriel Péronnet Foundation, the Opera Museum was finally opened so that the public could enjoy one of the most important collections in Europe: programmes, posters, costumes, set designs, photos, theatre documentation, sheet music, librettos, etc.

Tel : +33 (0) 4 70 58 48 20 - www.operavichy-musée.com

> Find out more...

Summer at the Vichy Opera

The current management of the Vichy Opera organises a summer season that would make many a city green with envy:
-30th June to 6th October: 25th anniversary of the Orchestre d’Auvergne, a new performance by the Quatuor directed by Alan Sachs (musical encounters between Bach-Hendrix, Vivaldi-Jagger, Schubert-Lennon/McCartney), Grandes Voix de Demain (tomorrow’s opera talents), ballet Jazz Art, Laurent Gerra, etc. and the grand finale with the Big Band des Jeunes Musiciens de l’Allier.
- 11th July to 8th August: Sous les étoiles (outdoor shows under the marquis of the opera house): Voice Messengers (jazz), Musica Nuda (songs by Gainsbourg, Brel… or Madonna) and Canard laqué des Trompettes de Lyon (humour and music arranged by “professor” François Rollin).

- 7th September to 6th October, the IVes Rencontres lyriques européennes confirm their important role in promoting opera. This year will start with a direct appeal to the taste buds of opera-goers via a true Opéra bouffe filled with culinary references in opera and operetta and hosted by Jean-Pierre Coffe. The programme will also include La Traviata, The Merry Widow (directed by Jérôme Savary) and Monsieur Choufleuri restera chez lui, an operetta by Offenbach.

Tel : +33 (0) 4 70 30 50 30 - www.ville-vichy.fr

> Find out more...

Thursday at Vichy

Famous for its Sunday shopping, Vichy is starting to earn another reputation for its “summer Thursdays”. For the past five years, from 5 to 10:30 pm, the streets of the town centre come alive, offering a myriad of activities: children’s shows, arts and crafts, children’s workshops, games of skill and “live” music. The 6th edition will take place from July 12th to 16th August. Events will be organised near the Opera, under the galleries of the Parc des Sources (near avenue Wilson), at the bandstand near the Source de l’Hôpital and on the esplanade of the Quatre-Chemins shopping centre.

The full programme is available at the tourist office on +33 (0) 47 0 98 71 94

> back