A spa resort in Haute-Saône in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, Luxeuil-les-Bains is a gateway town that provides access to the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park. It is located some thirty kilometres from Vesoul.
Covered in deciduous forest, the town boasts some beautiful architectural heritage, in particular the many mansions from the 15th and 16th centuries: the Spanish house, the Bailiff's house, Cardinal Jouffroy's house and its Flamboyant balcony, the oldest suspended stone balcony in France, the house of Francis I traversed by arcades, the octagonal Échevins tower (an archaeological museum also dedicated to the painter Jules Adler), and the Pusel mansion.
Also worth mentioning are its religious edifices spanning various eras: the Romano-Gothic Basilica of St. Peter; the old 13th-century medieval abbey featuring a superb pipe organ from 1617 held up by a statue of Atlas and a pretty cloister; the Church of St. Martin and the monastery.
Luxeuil is also known for its lace (you can visit the Lace Conservatory in a superb setting, the former kitchens of the abbey) and for a local speciality: smoked ham.
Yet Luxeuil's main focus throughout history has been the Thermal Baths, which were already a visitor attraction in the Celtic era and then in Roman times. People enjoyed the hot water that sprang from the ground there in the open air. A beautiful building made of pink Vosges sandstone, the spa built in the 17th century is a listed Historic Monument. The oligo-element-rich waters of Luxeuil are prescribed to treat phlebological, gynaecological and rheumatological disorders. People also go there for fitness breaks, relaxation, backache treatment, pressotherapy, etc.
Thermal resort of Burgundy Franche-Comté, Luxeuil-les-Bains takes place in the department of Haute-Saône, about thirty kilometers from Vesoul. It is at present the fourth most populous commune behind Vesoul, Hericourt and Lure.
Ville adherent to the Regional Natural Park of Ballons des Vosges, Luxeuil-les-Bains became known from Celtic time for its thermal baths and hot springs. It develops in the High Middle Ages, notably with the construction of ramparts in the thirteenth century. Annexed to France in the course of the seventeenth century, the town develops a new activity two centuries later, the famous lace of Luxeuil. This industry still makes the fine days of the city that has also opened up to tourism.
With an important architectural heritage, Luxeuil-les-Bains also delights lovers of gastronomy with its culinary specialties such as Luxeuil ham, salted and smoked meat.
Thermal baths are the main attraction of Luxeuil-les-Bains. They have been used since the Gallo-Roman period, their hot waters at 63 ° C and their cold oligometallic waters are famous for treating gynecological and rheumatic problems. The municipality now offers several infrastructures of care and well-being, and water from the source of Hygie is now marketed.
A former medieval abbey church, St. Peter's Basilica was built in the 13th century. Gothic and neo-classical, it is now classified as a Historic Monument. It is partly built of pink sandstone of the Vosges and unveils a choir restored by Viollet-le-Duc.
Classified and inscribed in the Historical Monuments, Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul Abbey was founded at the end of the 6th century. The birthplace of the first calligraphic script in minuscule, the building still has today a Gothic chapel of the 14th century, a cloister and some conventual outbuildings. Also listed, the Saint-Martin church is in the form of remains discovered during the construction of a car park in 2006. First century sarcophagi are also exhibited there.
Walking through the city, you will admire several mansions dating for the most part from the 15th century. One can notably discover the Spanish house whose façade and roof were inscribed in the Historic Monuments, or the house with the oriflamme, also inscribed. Built in the 16th century, the hotel Thiebaut de Montureux now houses a florist and has been listed in the Historic Monuments. Considered one of the best preserved Renaissance buildings in the city, the house of Francis I was named after Bishop Francois de La Palud, first of the name. The building is classified and listed in Historic Monuments. Do not miss the Place de la Baille and its facades of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, the Hotel Pusel is listed in the Historic Monuments, Hotel Thiadot and Hotel Bretons-d'Amblans.
Luxeuil-les-Bains has three museums, the Tower of the Shepherds with its archaeological collections and its room dedicated to the local painter Jules Adler, the conservatory of lace, and finally the museum of veterans.
The site of pottery kilns allows to discover six ovens of a ceramic workshop of the Gallo-Roman era.
Member of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, Luxeuil-les-Bains offers a few hiking trails to appreciate the local fauna and flora. Also try the footpath of the fountains in the wood of the Banney.
The city also has a casino with many games tables, slot machines and even shows organized throughout the year.
The market is held every Saturday morning. On Tuesday, a night market is offered between July and August. The city also organizes a Christmas market in December.
In July, the Pluralies musical and theatrical festival offers different shows.
Exposition : Pérégrinations des Objets
- From 1 to 11 june 2023
- Espace Frichet - Galerie des Arts, Rue de Grammont
- Exhibition organised by Luxeuil Patrimoine Vivant. - "Peregrinations d'objets, une histoire de colporteurs". - At the Galerie des Arts, from 1st to 11th June, from 3pm to 7pm. - Free admission.
Exposition : Le Patrimoine de Luxeuil
- From 2 to 13 june 2023
- Bibliothèque, Place de la Baille
- The heritage of Luxeuil, as seen by the pupils of the Mont Valot school. - At the municipal library. - Open Monday, Tuesday from 2pm to 6pm, Wednesday from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm, Friday from 2pm to 6pm, and Saturday from 9am to 12pm.
Fête Foraine
- From 10 to 18 june 2023
- Etang de la Poche, Rue Gambetta
- Rides for young and old. - Drinks and snacks on site.
Concert : 2 Chœurs Pour le Printemps
- On 10 june 2023
- 1 Place Saint-Pierre, Basilique Saint Pierre
- Vocal music from the Middle Ages to the present day : Moralès, Lassus, Clemens, Purcell, Offenbach… - By the choirs "L'Ajoulotte" from Montbéliard (conductor : Dominique Tisserand) and "La Petite Fugue" from Luxeuil (conductor : Yves Martin). - At 8.30 pm at the Basilique Saint Pierre, free admission (basket available). - Information : 06 63 72 80 60 or 06 73 73 09 44.
Forum : Mission Métiers
- On 14 june 2023
- Complexe des Merises, Rue Marcel Donjon
- 1st mission #metiers forum at Complexe les Merises in Luxeuil-les-Bains. - A day of exchanges with many professionals from the Luxeuil-les-Bains area. - Several activities are planned : discovery of professions and different devices for the public. - From 9am to 1am : for schoolchildren only (200 schoolchildren have already attended in the morning). - From 2pm to 5pm : all audiences (jobseekers of all ages, vocational training trainees, people in vocational integration or retraining and schoolchildren/students). - 5pm : closing drink.
Grand Huit Luxeuil-les-Bains Vosges du Sud
- On 17 june 2023
- Rue des Thermes
- The Mountain of 1000 ponds. - The Cyclo club of Froideconche invites you to discover the roads of the Vosges saônoises through three routes where you will have the possibility on the big route to pass by the highest summits of the department, and even its highest village, Belfahy. - Start/finish of the loops : Luxeuil-les-Bains. - 3 loops : - -58 km to be done on a classic bike or a VAE / 793 m of ascent / 1 refreshment station. - -118 km to be done by classic bike or by VAE / 2330 m of ascent / 3 refreshment points. - -167 km to be done on a classic bike / 3800 m of ascent / 4 refreshment points. - Online registration from the beginning of March.
Journées Européennes de l'Archéologie
- From 17 to 18 june 2023
- In a city rich in heritage, come and discover the remains of 2000 years of history ! - The &cclesia and the Tower of the Aldermen open their doors and reveal their secrets. Discover them on a guided or self-guided tour. - An archaeology village is set up in the heart of the town, with models and workshops on the programme. - See you in Luxeuil-les-Bains, heritage city ! - Programme 2023 - Archaeology village : - From the youngest to the oldest, come and take part in the various workshops offered in this archaeological village. - Giant model of a Gallo-Roman house : - It's your turn to play ! "Au fil du Métal" invites you to assemble the thousands of bricks that make up this incredible 4m² domus and to discover the organisation of a Roman town house. Erecting the walls, decorating the mosaic floors, building the roof, arranging the small furniture… this site straight out of Antiquity awaits you ! The construction will evolve as the hours go by, so come back several times to take part in the different stages of the site throughout the weekend. Free of charge. - Introduction to architecture : - The construction site of an ancient building requires many trades, come and discover some of them ! Accompanied by "Au fil du Métal" guides, try your hand at making mosaics, masonry vaults, making Roman tiles and creating a hypocaust heating system. Free of charge. - Excavation tank : - Equipped with the tools of the archaeologist, the little apprentices carry out the excavation and draw their findings. From 6 years old. Free admission. - Once upon a time, there was the Ecclesia : - Dramatised visit. Explore the history of the Saint-Martin archaeological site during a quirky and unusual performance ! - Admission : 4 € (of which 3 € is donated to the Fondation du patrimoine). - 4 €, Saturday 17 June at 7pm. - The &cclesia, heritage city : - Come and visit this site uncovered on the Place de la République by archaeologists and discover the exceptional evidence of the history of Luxeuil. Let yourself be surprised by one of the most important archaeological sites in France ! - Free visit : Saturday from 9.30am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm (last entry 45 minutes before closing time). - Guided tour : Saturday and Sunday at 10.30am, 11.30am, 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm. - Exceptional intervention by Jérôme Falcoz-Vigne, stone cutter, who will present his restoration work on the sarcophagi and walls of the former Saint-Martin church during the visits on Saturday at 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm. - Registration required at 03 84 40 06 41. - Admission to the church is reduced to €4, of which €3 is donated to the Fondation du patrimoine. - The Tower of the Aldermen : - Push open the doors of this astonishing building and discover archaeological remains unearthed since the 18th century in the Luxembourg subsoil ! - Free visit : Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 6pm (last entry 30 minutes before closing time). - Guided tour : Saturday and Sunday at 10am and 11am. Registration required on 03 84 40 06 41. - Workshops await you : - Writing : - Writing is all around us. But do you know its history ? Come and discover and test different writing tools and techniques that have been used over the years. - Saturday and Sunday, from 2 to 6 pm. - Saturday at the &cclesia, Sunday at the Tour des Échevins. - Pottery : - Young and old alike are inspired by the archaeological remains discovered in Luxeuil and make a small pottery object to take home ! From 6 years old. - Saturday and Sunday, from 2 to 6 pm, at the Tour des Échevins. Free admission. All audiences. - Investigation : in pursuit of the mystery object : - The ancient city of Luxovium has left us some precious remains. On the occasion of the European Archaeology Days, one of these artefacts will be hidden in the town. It's up to you to investigate and find it ! - The photo of the object to be discovered will be revealed on Saturday morning on site and on social networks. Clues and information on site. - Saturday only. Free of charge. All visitors.
Rencontre et Dédicace Avec Marie Liblin
- On 17 june 2023
- 33 Rue Jules Jeanneney, Librairie Les Cyclamens
- Meet Marie Liblin, co-author of "L'homme qui rêvait dans une langue inconnue". - From Luxeuil to Rapa Iti, the extraordinary life of Marc Liblin. - At Les Cyclamens bookshop at 11am and 4pm.
Commémoration du 18 Juin
- On 18 june 2023
- Rue du Sergent Pierre Bonnot
- Commemoration of General De Gaulle's historic appeal. - Place du Sergent Bonnot at 9.45am.
Fête de la Musique
- On 21 june 2023
- Concert in bars and squares, Rue Carnot, Rue Sainte Anne, Place Bad Wurzach, Place de la République, Rue Victor Genoux, Hôtel Mercure, Rue Cugnier, place de l'abbaye, place S. Bonnot, the Basilica, Rue Jules Jeanneney, Allées Maroselli and Rue Aristide Briand.
