Visit Vichy: a weekend in the Auvergne

Dernière mise à jour de cet article le 6 April 2025

While we were looking for a destination in the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region, we chose to visit Vichy. Vichy is a charming spa town in the Allier department, in central France. It is renowned for its mineral springs and its architecture.

But what’s to do in Vichy? If you’re thinking of spending a weekend in Vichy, here are a few must-see places. And of course, at the end of the article, you’ll find the opinion of Kiki.

Visit the Vichy Sources hall

Located in the city center, the Hall des Sources is an emblematic building of the town of Vichy. It houses several of Vichy’s famous thermal springs, renowned for their curative properties and health benefits. These springs were discovered in ancient times and have attracted visitors from all over the world since the 19th century. Since 2021, Vichy has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The building itself is in the Belle Époque architectural style, typical of many Vichy buildings constructed during this flourishing period. It is often considered a historic monument for its cultural importance and architectural value.

Inside the Hall des Sources, you can ask for a glass to taste water that comes directly from the springs. The experience is a must. As for the taste of the water, I’d say it’s quite atypical. You’ve got to like it.

Going to the Célestins spring

We continue this tour of Vichy with the thermal springs and the unmissable Source des Célestins. It takes its name from the Célestins convent that once stood here. The water from the Source des Célestins is renowned for its rich mineral content, particularly sodium bicarbonate. It is drawn from a depth of over 30 meters, where the water is maintained at a temperature of around 27°C.

Many curists come to Vichy to benefit from spring water cures, which can help treat a variety of health problems, such as digestive disorders, kidney problems, dermatological conditions and metabolic problems.

You can also ask for a glass of water to discover its atypical taste.

Strolling through the parks of Vichy

Vichy boasts a number of beautiful parks where you can stroll and relax.

Napoleon III Park

The Parc Napoléon III, named in honor of Napoléon III, contributed to the development of the Vichy spa.

Among the most striking features of Parc Napoléon III are shady avenues lined with majestic trees, well-manicured lawns and colorful flowerbeds.

In addition to its natural beauty, the park is also renowned for its leisure activities. There are playgrounds for children and dogs, bike paths and areas for sports and outdoor games.

We were in Vichy on the weekend of July 14th. As a result, we saw a magnificent fireworks display and spent a lovely evening in the park.

The Parc Napoléon III is the ideal place to stroll, relax or picnic. Don’t forget to bring a towel to lie on and enjoy!

There’s even a beach, but I’m not sure if swimming is allowed.

You’ll also find plenty of bars and restaurants along the Allier.

A must-see in Vichy, it’s so pleasant!

Celestins beach

Plage des Célestins lies on the banks of the River Allier. Here you can enjoy the sun, nature and maybe even a swim in the river.

Visit the Vichy Opera House

The Opéra is a must-see building in Vichy, with its impressive architecture. It boasts an elegant façade and artistic details in the neo-classical style.

The Opéra was built at the end of the 19th century, during the Belle Époque, when Vichy was a popular spa resort for the French and European elite. It was inaugurated in 1901 and has hosted many prestigious shows over the years, including operas, plays, concerts and ballets.

You can also visit the interior, which is just as sumptuous. You’ll discover a large, richly decorated auditorium, wrought-iron balconies, sparkling chandeliers and artistic frescoes on the ceilings.

Over the years, the Opéra de Vichy has undergone renovations to preserve its historic heritage while meeting modern needs. Today, it continues to be an important cultural venue, hosting a variety of artistic performances throughout the year. You can discover the program on the official Vichy Opera website.

In summer, you can also admire the sound and light show projected onto the Palais des Congrès and the Vichy Opera House.

Magnificent!

Visit the Vichy Opera Museum

At the Musée de l’Opéra, you can immerse yourself in the history of the theater and discover unique opera costumes and sets.

It’s not a must-see in Vichy, but if you’re passionate about opera, then don’t miss this little museum.

Visit Vichy town center

During the weekend, to discover Vichy, we got lost in its streets and passageways.

We also took a ride on the little tourist train. This enabled us to discover parts of Vichy we hadn’t explored on foot, such as the pavilions built by Napoleon III.

The little train starts next to the Hall des Sources and the large spa in the Parc des Sources. The journey takes 30 minutes. We enjoyed this little tour.

Finally, we were pleasantly surprised by Vichy’s dynamic downtown area. You’ll find plenty of boutiques. Ideal for shopping!

And don’t forget to buy Vichy pastilles! These white, octagonal-shaped candies are renowned for their digestive properties. In fact, they’re made from Vichy spring water.

Where to eat in Vichy

We recommend two restaurants that we particularly enjoyed during our weekend in Vichy.

La Brasserie des Artistes

In this restaurant, we tasted an excellent tartare with pommes de terre grenailles. A real delight!

A great address if you’re visiting Vichy!

Brasserie Le Vichy

The second restaurant we went to was in downtown Vichy. We recommend the fish and chips!

The Ink Drinker

After this weekend of discovery, I returned to Vichy. I discovered a wonderful address: Le Buveur d’encre, located in the Passage Giboin. This tea room offers lunchtime specials and absolutely delicious homemade cakes. You’ll also find a wide selection of teas in a warm atmosphere.

A favorite Vichy address!

Cookie Corner

And if you’re still hungry, you can go for a cookie at Cookie Corner, an address recommended by the locals! The hardest part is choosing the right cookie.

As a gourmet, I couldn’t resist…and I can confirm that the cookies are excellent!

Where to stay in Vichy?

There are several hotels in Vichy. I tested two of them.

The Opera Suites

During a stay in Vichy, I stayed at theHôtel particulier Les Suites de l’Opéra, ideally located in the heart of Vichy.

I was warmly welcomed by the owner, Marc, who introduced me to his background and the history of the place. This passionate man is full of ideas, and has carried out extensive work to make the place as welcoming as possible. And he’s succeeded! Indeed, as soon as you step into the living rooms on the second floor, you feel right at home. The place is warm, the decor refined and carefully thought out.

The hotel offers 5 suites, each with a name linked to the owner’s past. I spent a most restful night in the Warsaw suite. In the past, this room was occupied by the governess and a schoolteacher. The huge bookcase and wooden furniture are magnificent. What’s more, the stained-glass doors were made by the historic Verrerie de Saint-Just, which is located next door to me in Saint Just Saint Rambert in the Loire. And because it’s all in the detail, you can find the hotel logo in a stained-glass window.

Breakfast was also tasty, with local products. By the way, have you ever tried jam with Vichy pastilles? I recommend it…for the experience!

This place really has a soothing atmosphere. The proof is that I even had Ratatouille, the house cat, on my lap for long minutes, even though I’ve always been afraid of cats! In short, I really do recommend Les Suites de l’Opéra, a private hotel in Vichy, for a wonderful stay in Vichy.

Hotel Kyriad de Vichy

We stayed at theKyriad hotel in Vichy. What a nice surprise! Even though the room is small, it’s very comfortable. What’s more, the breakfast is very good. A fresh orange juice in the morning is a great way to start the day. What’s more, you can reserve the SPA area for 1 hour and enjoy the jacuzzi, hammam and sauna.

Book your hotel in Vichy

Kiki’s opinion of her visit to Vichy

Kiki had been a little stressed lately, and wasn’t feeling very well either (no doubt the hot weather had taken its toll). So what better way to relax than in Vichy! In the heart of France, this little town enchanted him from the start. This was probably due to the magnificent architecture: he was now familiar with many artistic trends such as art deco, neoclassicism, rococo, kikiki and all the rest. And here, he could now discover the fascination of the Belle Époque!

Of course, he also tasted Vichy spring water, and twice! It tastes so good, it’s got to be healthy! It’s probably wiser to simply bathe in it.

Vichy has won Kiki’s heart. He likes it even more than Annecy or Le Puy en Velay, his favorite cities in France until now. He’ll be back again!

My sincere thanks to Les Suites de l’Opéra for this invitation.