As far back as Antiquity, Chaudes-Aigues was renowned for its warm water and associated health benefits. Now the jewel in the Auvergne spa sector's crown, the resort has the warmest water in Europe and specialises in the treatment of rheumatic disorders and side effects of operations or trauma. Chaudes-Aigues thus has around thirty springs, the most famous of which is the Par spring, with a water temperature of 82°C!
Renowned for their pain-relieving and muscle-relaxing properties, the spa treatments are provided at the Caleden complex, which is located on the site of the old thermal baths. A haven of peace and an ideal place to recharge your batteries, the establishment also contains a recreational spa area devoted to relaxation, with indoor and outdoor pools, a hammam, sauna and Jacuzzi, as well as a spa offering beauty treatments and wellness massages.
After you've had a chance to relax, it's time to explore the town and its heritage. You can take a look at the eight small, suspended oratory niches (each one is devoted to a patron saint), the 15th-century Gothic Church of St. Martin, the Penitents' Chapel, an exhibition venue in season, with its Spanish Baroque altarpiece, not forgetting the charming cobbled streets, flagstone roofs, hot water washhouse and public fountains.
In Chaudes-Aigues you can visit Géothermia, the European museum of geothermal science and spa culture. Located a short walk from the Par spring, this attraction features scale models and interactive terminals, for a total immersion in the world of hot springs, the history of spa use and its benefits, and geothermal power. An amazing science lesson about a natural element that comes from the Earth and was the basis for the world's first urban heating system, in this area as far back as the 14th century!