Spas: the Fountains of Youth

It was just below the village of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains that Gontard the notary discovered two springs of hot, sulphurous water. He had it analysed and discovered that it had properties similar to Carlsbad, a famous German spa. He decided to build a small spa in his town and it quickly became the favourite destination of Geneva gentlefolk following the European fashion of "taking the waters". The spa grew and the tourists flocked. The proximity of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, also becoming a holiday centre, added to the spa's fame. In 1892, the rupture of a water pocket in the Tête Rousse glacier flooded and destroyed the thermal baths. Causing many victims, this catastrophe put a sudden stop to the development of hydrotherapy in the valley. It was not until the 1950s that they were re-opened when it was discovered that the waters were particularly good for treating burns.

Since then, hydrotherapy and balneotherapy add to the attractions of winter sports. Because of the excellent quality of the accommodation here, the Pays du Mont-Blanc can provide, everywhere in the area, a wide choice of "mountain" stress-relieving, wellness and "Zen attitude" holiday possibilities.