Queen spas
Talking Hydrotherapy at Vichy is almost a tautology, since the city has virtually its existence to the sources. Since ancient times, men are regularly lick their wounds inside these warm waters, bicarbonate, sodium and acquired between faults and Tertiary sediments and granitic mountains of Auvergne.
In the Middle Ages, the dukes of Bourbon ownership waters but for very short time: their property was confiscated by King Francis. Henceforth, the State itself provides the use of springs or delegates as rent. Only in the eighteenth century that the Vichy waters become object of infatuation, as evidenced by the correspondence of Madame de Sevigne, curist the first time with his daughter.
In 1853, two Parisian entrepreneurs (Lebobe and Callou) combine to create the farm Vichy Company (VFC), which over the years, will become omnipotent. She will manage the sources, exploitation of mineral and Settlements Spa.
Omnipresent, yet the company finds resistance in the person of Nicolas Larbaud, father of the poet. This pharmacist Vichy engaged against them in order to exploit the sources he had on one of these sites, St. Yorre, a trial that lasted 13 years. It will be the first to have had the idea of the consumption of mineral water at home: the first bottles will also mention the "sources Larbaud - St. Yorre.
Vichy notoriety during the Second Empire. Indeed, Napoleon III, suffering from stone disease, are prescribed by mistake a cure at Vichy (these waters do not own to relieve kidney stones). Imperial drain stays crowds and create a trend around the Vichy cures. We'll see you under the tall chestnut trees or in the alley of plane trees. We waltz every Saturday at the Casino Ballroom, change toilet three to four times per day. Everything is to be seen and seen well.
The cult of the body will flourish in this atmosphere like a flower in the sun: the Company includes farm as soon as she could capitalize on this situation. She begins to develop in the early twentieth century, a range of ancillary services, which will be primarily product calls. Doctors develop alternative therapies to cure, using new techniques such as radiation therapy or electrotherapy. Vichy is one of the first spas to install fitness rooms.
Vichy loves the beautiful and provides all the means necessary for its maintenance. Vichy always wants to fashion, looking for the latest and through the years with a brand that equates to the spa town par excellence and, despite two world wars that resulted, each time on the requisitioning of its hotel. Even today, the idea of cure refers to the city Bourbonnais although attendance has steadily declined since the early 60s.
In 1958, nearly 30 000 patients visited the banks of the Allier, 40 years later, only about 12 000 visits were recorded. Decolonization, advances in medicine and especially those of surgery (these were erased with one stroke of the scalpel digestive problems), are responsible for this disaffection. Stays too long (21 days), the inadequate pace of modern life, vigilance Social Security have also contributed to the decline in attendance.
recent years, however, the spa town wants to turn its back on this dark period to borrow again the turn of modernity. First visible change: the construction of the baths Callou in 1990. Asepsis showers and mud applications for the building of glass and steel is comparable to those of the operating room more efficient. Computerization can calculate the time to fill a bathtub, any number, sort, store, which paradoxically reinforces the relational aspect of the treatment: annually, Therapy clients are sure to find his favorite assistant, his gym teacher and especially his preferred treatment.
Company Vichy farmer, owner of terms (not source!) Did not hesitate to question the effectiveness of treatments. In 1992 she joined the Clinic of Rheumatology of Cochin to conduct a study that ultimately proved scientifically the effectiveness of Vichy bubbles on the treatment of osteoarthritis. Finally, Vichy revives its "ancillary services" by further disturbing the well-being. Besides, she stays focused on the delivery in the form of short duration. At the center of the Domes, are offered care ranges from underwater massage to the solarium, via slurry applications.
Strangely, the Vichy have dared push the doors to go up under new gyms and care, whereas previously, the treatment had created a world apart, parallel to the lives of people the city. This interest has also encouraged the opening of the Celestine Center, which offers spa stays in a high-end (the center includes a four star hotel).
Vichy at the edge of the third millennium, is invaded by demons from his old sound, a recipe that seems to work, since 1995, the terms could show an increase in attendance.
Boredom, enemy of free time, no right of abode in the city Bourbonnais. Languid stroll certainly occupy a prominent place on the agenda of the Vichy hydrotherapy but always accompanied his free time creating, well before the concept of leisure.
The first casino ever created in France has been built in Vichy in 1865 by architect Charles Badger. In addition to game rooms, a room is then reserved for shows, operas, concerts ... But the influence of hydrotherapy is such that, in 1897, a larger opera house is built in pure Art Nouveau, according to the plans of Charles Lecoeur. Saint-Saens, Chaliapin, divas of La Scala in Milan, the stars of Russian ballet, the biggest stars of the theater, opera, dance, thronged behind the scenes to Vichy early 60s. The building is deteriorating gradually, some parts are included in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments in 1975 but it was not until the end 80 years for a true restoration is undertaken. The casino-opera is the opera-conference. The gilding of the theater have regained the luster of yesteryear. The rooms have been reserved for conference rooms in the greatest respect for the architecture of departure, while incorporating contemporary elements, like wall light sculptor Mick Prentice. Side show, the lineup is deliberately eclectic (classical music, opera, pop, dance).
Those who prefer to be transported by the musicality of the verse, will then visit personal library Larbaud Valery, the poet of Vichy, reconstructed at the library that bears his name. The collection includes 14,000 books Larbaud, 170 manuscripts, 8800 letters.
For cultural activities, plus a wide range of sports: golf 18 holes (one of the oldest in France) and especially the courts have long held the spotlight. Obviously, the share of water is important to Vichy, where one finds among other things, a water sports center, an artificial river for kayaking in and a rowing club. But Vichy is also known for its horse racing. At the height of the season, more than 3000 spectators trampled lawns of the racetrack, a success reinforced by the introduction of night racing.
"Getaway at Vichy," a film made in September 2010:
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