Caitlin & Pierre-Yves
Things To Do | Visiter Vichy
Vichy Célestins Spa
Mineral baths and spa (connected to Célestins hotel) *** If there is a group of 10 or more people booking treatments, can receive a 10% discount by booking together via Hotel Céléstins*** Contact: Delphine Tomczak +33(0)4 70 30 82 30 delphine.tomczak@compagniedevichy.com
Le Petit Train de Vichy (Eurotrain)
Lovely little tourist train ride through beautiful historic center of Vichy and along the river. Each train seats 60 people and the tour lasts 35 min. Départs from Parc des Sources in front of the Tourist Office. Apparently a good tip is to sit on the LEFT side. Circuit : Départ Parc des Sources situé face à l'office de tourisme La ville vous dévoilera, au gré des rues un cadre architectural d'exception. Vous pourrez ainsi découvrir lors de votre promenade, le palais des congrès, le pavillon Sévigné, le Castel Franc, la maison d'Albert Londres, les thermes, les chalets de l'empereur ainsi que les différents hôtels et immeubles réquisitionnés pendant la période 40/44. De la rive droite, vous pourrez apercevoir l'hippodrome et le golf.
Source des Célestins
For unlimited sips of Vichy's mineral waters, head for the brass taps of the Source des Célestins (bring your own bottle). 8am-8.30pm Apr-Sept
Hall des Sources
Chug a mouthful of reputedly healing waters at the Hall des Sources, a late-19th-century atrium resembling an art-deco greenhouse. The water is naturally fizzy with a saline tang, if you're curious. Not all of the nine sources of Vichy's reputedly healing waters are freely accessible: some, like the Source de l’Hôpital (also within the Parc des Sources), require a medical prescription. 6.15am-7pm
Source de l'Hôpital
The brass taps of the Source de l'Hôpital, which was first used in Gallo-Roman times, dispense unlimited quantities of warmish mineral waters to curistes (visitors seeking hydrotherapy treatment) in possession of a magnetic badge. 8am-8.30pm
Parc des Sources
Vichy's centrepiece is the huge Parc des Sources, laid out by Napoléon in 1812. Filled with chestnut and plane trees and encircled by 700m of wrought-iron-canopied colonnade, it's an invigorating place to stroll.
Parc Napoleon III
These 13 hectares of peaceful parkland, landscaped in honour of Napoléon III, have become a favourite riverfront idling ground for pedestrians and cyclists. Look out for Swiss-style, 19th-century chalets along the park's edge, which once lodged Vichy's visiting curistes.
Le Grand Marché
Bump elbows with hungry locals at this food market 500m northwest of Vichy's train station. There are no touristy souvenirs inside this 4800 sq m market hall, only stalls piled high with fruit, veg, meat, and wonderfully whiffy local cheeses. 7am-1pm Tue-Sun, plus 4-7pm Fri & Sat
Opéra de Vichy
Art nouveau style Opera House in the center of Vichy. Visit the website for this seasons’s program. Even if you aren't stopping for one of the regular performances at this lavish opera house, it's worth swinging by to admire its art nouveau exterior, complete with dome and delicate glasswork, and decorated with harps, lyres and other musical whimsy. Tickets for shows can be reserved via Vichy's tourist office.
Vichy Shopping
Downtown stores open on Sundays!! Stroll and browse rue du President Wilson & rue Georges Clemenceau.
Casino Vichy Grand Café
Vichy's casino was one of the first ever opened in France. Today punters can hit the tables in this annex of the now-closed original. 10am-3am
Golf du Sporting Club de Vichy
Golf, tennis, & sports club in Vichy
Hippodrome de Vichy-Bellerive
Night-time Horse Racing!
Centre commercial les 4 chemins
Indoor shopping mall & cinema (in french) located in the center of Vichy