Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Dome Spa Centre in Vichy was built at the end of the 19th century to compete with German and Austrian spas, then considered the most modern. In 1898 Charles Fère, director of the Compagnie Fermière, undertook a study trip accompanied by engineer Guérin and architect Lecoeur. The works, launched in 1899, culminated in the inauguration of the establishment in 1903. Its architecture blends oriental influences, as evidenced by the octagonal dome covered with flaming sandstone, and neo-medieval elements, visible in the two castles added in 1934, stylized in fortified towers.

The interior of the spa centre is distinguished by its entrance hall decorated with paintings by Alphonse Osbert and a mechanotherapy room keeping early 20th century medical instruments, designed by a Swiss doctor. The luxury cabin, decorated with glazed earthenware with aquatic motifs, illustrates the splendor of the era. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1989, the building protects its facades, its central dome, and the interior decorations of the southern wing, reflecting the golden age of thermalism in Vichy.

The construction of the Dome Spa Centre is part of the development of the water cities in Europe, where Vichy, already known for its sources, sought to attract an easy clientele. The addition of a wing in 1934 testifies to its lasting success, while architectural elements, such as the glass doors of the lobby or pseudo-defensive openings of the water castles, underline a desire to combine functionality and spectacular aesthetics. Today, the site remains a symbol of the French thermal heritage, combining history, art and medical science.

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