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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Le Logis du Roy is a historic house located in Bourbon-l'Archambault, in the Allier department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This 17th-century building, covered with a Mansard roof, served as a thermal establishment, heir to a tradition dating back to Roman times. Local thermal springs, dedicated to the Celtic god Borvo, were already known for their healing virtues, and their use continued throughout the centuries, especially in the form of a medieval vaporium that was very frequented in the thirteenth century.

In the 17th century, the pavilion was built by Gaston d'Orléans, Louis XIII's brother, marking the beginning of a fabled period for the thermal baths of Bourbon. During the reign of Louis XIV, the establishment became a popular resort for the aristocracy, welcoming personalities such as the Princess of Conti, Madame de Sévigné and Madame de Montespan. The latter left its mark by having amphitheater aisles, still known by its name today. The writings of physician Jean Aubéry and Isaac Cottier, who published works on the mineral waters of Bourbon in 1650, contributed to the fame of the places.

The Logis du Roy and its thermal baths, classified as historical monuments by order of 9 March 1938, bear witness to the importance of spas in the French society of Ancien Régime. Their attendance by the political and cultural elite reflects the social and medical role of these institutions, where care, social and intrigue are mixed. The architecture of the building, typical of the seventeenth century, and its history linked to the courtyard of France make it an emblematic heritage of Bourbonnais.

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