Located in the Pays de Combraille region, the pleasant town of Évaux-les-Bains is the only spa town in Limousin. Specialising in the treatment of vein problems and rheumatism, the thermal baths also offer rejuvenating breaks.
The historic centre, with its old houses, has a beautiful religious building: the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul church of Romanesque style, which boasts a bell tower with five floors.
Évaux-les-Bains is a spa nestled in Creuse in the heart of France, in the campaign of the Country of Combraille in Marche, border between Limousin and Auvergne.
There are few cities that do not discover a legendary origin: that of Evaux is told by Georges Sand in his novel, "Jeanne". In ancient times, warm waters flowed to the rock of Baume a few kilometers from Évaux. These springs guarded by the fairies healed the people of the country. But the queen of the fairies, discontented with the honors given to Saint Martial, caused the springs to be dried up and launched her heavy hammer, exclaiming: "Where this hammer will fall, the spring will spring!" The hammer fell at Évaux.
About 50 av. BC, the legions of Julius Caesar set up camp and undertake the exploitation of the thermal springs. Little by little superb thermal baths come out of the earth.
Unfortunately, a fire and the barbarian invasions will have right of the antique baths and it was not until the 19th century to see again the thermal activity.
During the Middle Ages, however, the city knew its hour of glory with the construction of the abbey Saint Peter Saint Paul on the relics of St Marien the protective hermit of Évaux. Partially destroyed by a fire in 1942, it remains a pride for all the Evahonians.
Due to the division of the Baronnie de Combraille, of which Evaux will become the capital, the city will be under the protection of the Grande Demoiselle and the princes of Conti.
In 1720, Louis XV appointed an ordinary medical adviser of the waters of Evaux.
In 1831 is created the 1st thermal company, the construction of the viaduct of the Tardes by Gustave Eiffel allows the arrival of the railway and makes more curists. It is the golden age of hydrotherapy, the ladies under their parasols, the gentlemen under their boatmen take "the waters".
The twentieth century saw the birth of a thermalism more and more modernized, sometimes linked to History, as during this period when the Vichy government requisitioned the Grand Hotel Thermal to intern some influential men of the Third Republic.
In 2001, the only spa in Limousin turned to modernity, the cure is completely remodeled and now has state-of-the-art equipment that provides patients with ever-greater therapeutic efficacy.
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