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Wellness and Thermalism in Eastern France

The Grand Est region is renowned for its rich thermal waters and high-quality wellness facilities. The region has become as a leading destination for thermal tourism, thanks to its relaxing setting in all seasons. With its renowned thermal resorts and exceptional spas, the Grand Est region has become a land of opportunity for players in the wellness and thermal tourism sector. (Phoro Credit : ©Juan Algar – stock.adobe.com)

THERMAL TOURISM IN EASTERN FRANCE

9 spa resorts located in main tourist areas :

💼 Municipalities rewarded with a “tourist resort” label (a label recognizing excellent tourism policies in the area)

⛲ 9 spa resorts in the Grand Est region: Coverage of 5 of the 12 spa treatments by the French national Health Insurance System

TOP DESTINATIONS FOR WELLNESS TOURISM IN EASTERN FRANCE

Alsace – Rich and diverse experiences

In the heart of the Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park, Niederbronn-les-Bains and Morsbronn-les-Bains continue a spa tradition based on renowned mineral waters. Niederbronn-les-Bains enjoys a preserved setting and water that is recommended for rheumatic conditions. In Morsbronn-les-Bains, two hot springs rich in minerals offer analgesic and relaxing properties. These two resorts combine nature, well-being, and a gentle way of life—in a region also renowned for the quality and prestige of its many spas.

©ART-GE-Pierre-Defontaine

Lorraine – Heritage and Renewal

Lorraine is developing a wellness offering structured around two major hubs: Nancy, which is reviving its thermal history thanks to a fully modernized complex combining treatments, an urban spa, and aquasports facilities in the heart of an Art Nouveau district; and Amnéville, whose Thermal Center is part of a unique leisure complex combining thermal baths, a spa, a zoo, an aquarium, and indoor activities.
Together, these sites position Lorraine as a region where wellness, leisure, and culture coexist, offering a unique thermal-leisure experience.

©-JUNG / Région Grand Est

Champagne – A prestigious destination

Southern Champagne stands out for its high-end wellness offerings, featuring spas nestled in vineyards and natural landscapes that are perfect for recharging your batteries. The region is also home to Bourbonne-les-Bains, Champagne-Ardenne’s historic spa resort, renowned for its hyperthermal waters with vasodilatory and hypotensive properties, and for its Gallo-Roman heritage, which is still visible today.
Combining relaxation, ancient thermal heritage, and modern spa experiences, southern Champagne is a booming wellness destination in the Grand Est region.

©ART-GE-Pierre-Defontaine

The Vosges – Leading Thermal Region

With its four iconic thermal spas, the region has been a benchmark for health and wellness for over a century. This mid-mountain region welcomes nearly 3.8 million tourists each year (36% of whom are foreign tourists), including 17,500 spa guests and 65,000 spa visitors. The thermal waters of the main spa resorts in the Vosges are renowned for their medicinal properties. They cover a wide range of conditions, from rheumatology to cardiovascular diseases, nutrition, and metabolism.

MAIN THERMAL SPA RESORTS DRIVING THERMAL TOURISM IN EASTERN FRANCE

Among the nine leading resorts in the region, three have become major hubsfor spa tourism in Eastern France. Their popularity is reflected in the growing number of spa visitors, but also in the dynamism of their spa centers. Several recent expansion and modernization announcements confirm this trend :

  1. The Amnéville Thermal Spa
  2. Nancy Thermal
  3. Vittel – Historic Spa City
  4. The Vosges – At the heart of Thermalism

Their popularity is illustrated by the growing appeal of spa treatments, but also by the development of a new range of treatments dedicated to all types of visitors, including tourists, as evidenced by several recent announcements of plans to expand and modernize various sites.

1.The Amnéville Thermal Spa

Set in 600 hectares of woodland, the Amnéville Thermal Spa offers high-quality hot spring water for everyone to enjoy. Its spa treatments have helped Amnéville climb into the top 10 French spa resorts, thanks to investment in infrastructure and staff training.

3
thermal sites
in Amnéville
+8%
visitors
in Saint-Eloy Thermal Center
€1.3 million
investment
for modernization in 2025

The City Amnéville – Cité des Loisirs

Amnéville stands out for its great amount of leisure activities, led by its iconic Amnéville Zoo, one of the most renowned in Europe. In the heart of the Cité des Loisirs, visitors can also enjoy a wide range of activities: an adventure park, an aquarium, SnowWorld indoor skiing, shows, and relaxation areas. The Cité des Loisirs is situated in a 400-hectare natural environment.

2.Nancy Thermal

In spring 2023, Nancy inaugurated the largest aquatic and thermal spa facility located in the heart of a major French city. This unique center highlights the city’s thermal heritage, right in the heart of the Art Nouveau district. Naturally rich in minerals, this thermal water was recognized in 2014 by the National Academy of Medicine for its benefits in rheumatology. This Thermal baths has been listed as historic monuments since 2020 and completely has been renovated.

Photo Credit : Stadler / Région Grand Est

2,880
spa guest
in 2025
4
thermal sites
within Nancy Thermal
€100 million
investment
for extensions & renovations

Nancy – The City of Stanlislas

Nancy captivates visitors with its rich architectural and cultural heritage, notably the famous Place Stanislas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as its many historic monuments and charming old neighborhoods. The city also offers a diverse range of museums: the Museum-Aquarium, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Museum of the Nancy School, dedicated to the Art Nouveau style for which the city is renowned. With its history, arts, and relaxed lifestyle, Nancy offers a complete and accessible cultural experience.

Photo Credits : Sergey Novikov (SerrNovik) ripicts.com – Stock.Adobe.com

3.Vittel – Historic Spa City

A historic spa resort set in 650 hectares of parkland, Vittel is renowned for the quality of its mineral waters and its expertise in spa treatments. The site boasts a number of springs (including Hépar, Félicie, etc.), whose complementary properties enable a wide range of treatments to be offered. Treatments also include the use of thermal mud for pain relief and regeneration.

Photo Credit : Stadler / Région Grand Est

4,000
spa guest
in 2024
652
hectares
thermal park
€50+ million
investment
for the renovation of the Palmarium

Vittel – Historic Spa City

In addition to its thermal spa facilities, Vittel offers a remarkable natural setting with its vast 650-hectare park, ideal for walks, sports activities, and educational discoveries dedicated to the environment. The town is also home to leading cultural venues, such as La Vigie de l’Eau, an interactive space dedicated to discovering the water cycle and environmental issues, and the Heritage Museum, which traces the historical development of the resort. Vittel thus combines nature, culture, and leisure in an elegant and soothing atmosphere.

Photo Credits : Lotharingia – Stock.Adobe.com

4. The Vosges – At the Heart of Thermalism

The thermal waters of the main spa resorts in the Vosges are renowned for their medicinal properties. They cover a wide range of conditions, from rheumatology to cardiovascular diseases, nutrition, and metabolism.

Photo Credit : © Stadler – Région Grand Est

17,500
therms guests
each year in the Vosges
65,000
spa guests
each year in the Vosges
204
direct jobs
in thermal baths & spas

Contréville

  • World-renowned for its association with health & slimming
  • The only post-breast cancer treatment center in France
  • Thermal spa with 9,000 visitors annually and innovative programs

Photo Crédit : Yves Chevallier – Stock.adobe.com

Plombières-les-Bains

  • 40 hot springs used since Roman times
  • One of only two French resorts whose waters have therapeutic properties for IBD, including Crohn’s disease

Photo Credit : ©PIXATERRA-stock.adobe_.com

Vittel

  • Renowned for its treatments in rheumatology, urinary disorders, and metabolic diseases
  • 652-hectare thermal park and modernized facilities
  • Vittel Palmarium: largest wellness center in Eastern France (scheduled to open in 2027)

Bains-les-Bains

  • One of four French resorts specializing in cardiovascular diseases
  • Distinguished by complementary programs focused on active health (cardio training, music therapy, aqua stretching)

Photo Credit : BODEZ / Région Grand Est

THE GRAND EST REGION SUPPORTS THE THERMAL & WELLNESS SECTOR

The Grand Est Region invests in infrastructures connecting thermal Hubs

NOVA 14 – A TRAIN LINE CONNECTING EASTERN FRANCE THERMAL HUBS

Announced in May 2024, the Nancy–Contrexéville railway line will efficiently connect the main spa resorts in the Grand Est region by December 2027. Travel times will be reduced compared to those of the bus line currently in service. Nancy will thus be directly connected to Vittel (1 hour journey) and Contrexéville (1 hour 10 minutes journey). There will be 30 return trips per day (i.e., 2 trains per hour in each direction). Nearly 500,000 passengers are expected to use this line when it opens in 2028.

30
return trips
each day
500,000
expected passengers
in 2028
70 minutes
travel time
between Nancy and Contrexéville
Equipe Invest Eastern France

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TOURISM IN THE GRAND EST – A HIGH‑QUALITY DESTINATION AT THE HEART OF EUROPE

With 87 million overnight stays in 2024, the Grand Est is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. It is also among the French regions that welcome the highest number of international visitors, thanks to its exceptional geographical location.
Its rich historical and gastronomic heritage has earned it recent recognition as one of the most beautiful destinations by Lonely Planet and Airbnb travelers, and it was ranked the No. 1 wine‑tourism destination in France.

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