November, 2013 – Megan Miln

Vichy's Spring Water

In recent months, we’ve been trying to see a bit more of France on our doorstep. Our weekends regularly involve getting up far too early, sitting on the train for a couple of hours, then spending the rest of Saturday and Sunday exploring a new city.

The ornate Des Dômes building
The ornate Des Dômes building

Inside Des Dômes
Inside Des Dômes

One of my favourite weekend locations has been Vichy. Vichy was unexpectedly pretty. As a spa town, it has attracted wealth and investment over the centuries, and this can be seen in the varied architecture around the city. I particularly liked the art nouveau buildings around the Parc des Sources.

Glass awning of the Palais de Congrès-Opéra building
Glass awning of the Palais de Congrès-Opéra building

Covered walkways of the Parc des Sources.
Covered walkways of the Parc des Sources.

Spring Water

Vichy has water from a number of different natural sources, all said to have different health benefits. Most of these spring waters are only available to the spa clients, but one, the Source des Célestins, is freely available to all. To my great surprise, it is naturally fizzy. It also has a minerally flavour, which is strange but not unpleasant.

Source des Célestins, naturally sparkling water

I had always assumed that sparkling water had its bubbles added artificially; it never occurred to me that some spring water might be naturally sparkling. The novelty of this naturally sparkling water didn’t wear off; it fascinated me all weekend.

Hall des Sources, which has all the local spring waters on tap
Hall des Sources, which has all the local spring waters on tap