Vittel is a French commune located in the Vosges department in the Grand Est region, known worldwide for its mineral water. Its inhabitants are called the Vittellois (es).
Vittel is a charming spa town in the Vosges department of
northeastern France, renowned for its mineral water, thermal heritage,
and serene natural surroundings. With a population of around 5,000, it
has a pleasant small-town atmosphere that blends history, wellness, and
outdoor activities. The town's fame stems from its natural springs,
which have been utilized since Gallo-Roman times, making it a hub for
hydrotherapy and relaxation. Vittel's development as a resort began in
the 19th century when Louis Bouloumié purchased the springs in 1854,
establishing the first spa in 1855 and bottling water by 1857. Today,
it's part of the Nestlé Waters brand but retains its Belle Époque
glamour through grand architecture, parks, and facilities that attract
wellness seekers, athletes, and families. The town is easily explored on
foot, with free parking available, and is best visited outside peak
summer months to avoid crowds. Key sights revolve around its thermal
legacy, green spaces, and cultural spots, offering a mix of history,
nature, and modern amenities.
Parc Thermal
The Parc Thermal,
also known as the Thermal Park, is the heart of Vittel, spanning over
650 hectares of preserved natural greenery. This vast, privately owned
but publicly accessible park, managed by Nestlé Waters, features shaded
paths, benches, and a tranquil environment ideal for fresh air and
relaxation. Its history ties back to the town's spa origins, with
numerous historic structures that highlight early 20th-century
architecture and leisure. Notable features include the 1904 racecourse
with its grandstand, the 1911 lawn-tennis pavilion, the 1923 PMU chalet,
the 1926 physical education institute with fencing pavilions, the 1930
cadets’ pavilion, and the 1935 weighing pavilion—all evoking the era
when Vittel was a glamorous European resort for the elite. The park also
houses two churches listed as Historic Monuments: l’Église du Grand Ban
Saint-Rémy and l’Église du Petit Ban Saint Privat. Beyond heritage, it's
a family-friendly space for strolls, picnics, or cycling, with 25 km² of
surrounding trails offering scenic views. Entry is free, and it's
perfect for all ages, with facilities like a rose garden, tennis courts,
and playgrounds. Visitors often praise its peaceful ambiance, making it
a must for nature lovers or those seeking a leisurely walk amid historic
charm.
Galerie Thermale
The Galerie Thermale, or Thermal
Gallery, stands as an iconic symbol of Vittel’s spa culture and is
listed on the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments. Constructed
in three phases between 1897 and 1905, with architectural input from
Charles Garnier (famous for the Paris Opera), it originally connected
spa buildings, annexes, and the park via a metal framework later clad in
stucco and concrete by 1930. First erected in 1856 under Louis
Bouloumié, it has undergone renovations to preserve its heritage while
boosting tourism. The gallery provides direct access to Vittel's three
renowned mineral springs: Vittel Grande Source (a vitality-boosting
water popular in France), Vittel Bonne Source (less mineralized and
exported globally), and Hépar (highly mineralized for medical purposes).
Visitors can enjoy a car-free promenade in this naturally landscaped
area, which serves as a gateway to the town center, shops, park, spa,
playground, swimming pool, tennis courts, golf course, heritage museum,
water center, and casino. It's an ideal spot for a relaxed cultural
stroll, offering insights into the town's hydrotherapy traditions. Open
to the public, it's especially atmospheric during evenings or off-season
visits.
Musée du Patrimoine et du Thermalisme
For a deep dive
into Vittel's past, the Musée du Patrimoine et du Thermalisme (Museum of
Heritage and Thermalism) offers an immersive experience. Run by
volunteers from the Maison du Patrimoine, it showcases the town's resort
history through vintage photographs, thermal artifacts, and recreated
scenes of early 20th-century spa treatments. Highlights include exhibits
on the evolution of hydrotherapy, daily life in the Belle Époque era,
and the impact of mineral waters on health and society. Located at 166
Rue Charles Garnier, the museum is open daily from April to October
(2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., closed Mondays), with guided tours available for
groups of six or more. Admission is affordable, and commentary provides
context on Vittel's transformation from a Roman-era spring site to a
modern wellness destination. It's particularly engaging for history
buffs, though its small size makes it a quick yet enlightening
visit—perfect as a complement to exploring the park or gallery.
Les Thermes de Vittel
Les Thermes de Vittel, the town's flagship
thermal baths, trace their roots to the 1st century AD when Emperor
Vitellius reportedly used the waters for gout relief during Roman times.
Revived in the 19th century, the facilities embody the grandeur of a
19th-century European spa resort, with treatments focused on medicinal
waters known for their diuretic and detoxifying properties. Modern
offerings include mud applications, hydrotherapy sessions, jacuzzis,
aquajets, and relaxation areas, all set in a cocoon of well-being amid
Art Deco buildings and lush nature. The baths attract top athletes for
recovery, but they're open to all for cures, spa days, or wellness
packages. Visitors rave about the restorative effects, skilled staff,
and outdoor jacuzzis with park views, though some note it's best booked
in advance. History buffs will appreciate its Gallo-Roman origins and
role in establishing Vittel as a health destination since 1855.
La Vigie de l'Eau
La Vigie de l'Eau is an educational center
dedicated to water, sustainability, and environmental awareness, located
within the Parc Thermal. It features a permanent exhibition on water
cycles, geology, and human impact, with interactive activities that
engage children and adults alike. Founded with a focus on scientific
mediation, it offers guided walks with agronomists to explore local
geology and water exploitation, making it both informative and fun.
Visitors describe it as a hidden gem—small but packed with content,
ideal for rainy days or families seeking pedagogy. While associated with
Nestlé, it emphasizes broader water issues in a development durable
context. Open hours vary, so check ahead; it's a thoughtful addition to
Vittel's water-themed attractions.
Casino de Vittel
Adding a
touch of excitement, the Casino de Vittel is a compact yet vibrant
gaming venue at the park's entrance, offering slot machines, electronic
games, blackjack, and table games like roulette and poker. With 18
machines and 4 tables, it's open daily from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., creating
a lively nighttime atmosphere. The adjoining restaurant is highly
praised for hearty meals and attentive service in a clean, pleasant
setting. Built in the resort's tradition, it invites playful experiences
without overwhelming scale—perfect for couples or groups. Staff are
noted for their kindness, and it's accessible with free Wi-Fi. Entry
requires ID and is for adults only, blending leisure with Vittel's
historic glamour.
Les Jardins de la Terre
Les Jardins de la
Terre is a 3-hectare botanical garden opened in 2003 by nature
enthusiasts Roland and Maryline Motte. It features diverse plant massifs
in varied shapes and colors, with pedagogical panels offering tips on
plant associations, gardening techniques, and eco-friendly practices.
Visitors can explore themed sections, shop for plants in the boutique,
and enjoy open spaces for play. Open seasonally (June-September
Fridays-Sundays 2-6 p.m.; July-August Tuesdays-Sundays 11 a.m.-7 p.m.),
it's educational and relaxing, ideal for gardeners or families. The
gardens emphasize biodiversity and provide inspiration for home
projects, with a welcoming vibe that encourages lingering.
Ancient Origins and Early History
The history of Vittel, a small
town in the Vosges department of northeastern France (part of the Grand
Est region), dates back to Roman times. Around 69 AD, during the Roman
Empire, a Gallo-Roman spa town was established on the site, leveraging
the natural mineral springs for therapeutic purposes. The town is
believed to have been named after the Roman general Aulus Vitellius, who
reportedly used the waters to treat his gout. Archaeological evidence,
such as urns and other artifacts, indicates that the area was valued for
its healing properties, particularly for conditions like arthritis and
arteriosclerosis. However, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the
springs fell into disuse for centuries, and the area remained largely
rural and undeveloped until the modern era.
Rediscovery and
Development as a Spa Town (19th Century)
Vittel's modern resurgence
began in the mid-19th century, driven by the growing popularity of
hydrotherapy and spa tourism in Europe. In 1854, Louis Bouloumié, a
French lawyer suffering from digestive issues, visited the nearby spa
town of Contrexéville and experienced health benefits from mineral
waters. Inspired, he purchased the meadow containing the Fontaine de
Gérémoy (later known as the Grande Source spring) in Vittel. By 1855,
Bouloumié had established the Vittel spa, starting with a simple wooden
cabin housing public baths, showers, and the spring itself. Bottling of
the water began in 1857, using square stoneware bottles with porcelain
stoppers, marking the inception of Vittel as a commercial mineral water
brand.
The spa's popularity exploded in the 1860s, leading to rapid
expansions including hotels, parks, and additional facilities. Louis
passed management to his sons in 1869: Pierre Bouloumié, a military
doctor who advanced hydrotherapy practices, and Ambroise Bouloumié, a
lawyer who later served as mayor (1882–1903) and focused on resort
development. In 1882, the Société Générale des Eaux Minérales de Vittel
(SGEMV) was founded, coinciding with the opening of the
Longes-Vittel-Nancy railway, which improved accessibility and boosted
tourism. Renowned architect Charles Garnier (famous for the Paris Opera)
was commissioned to redesign the resort in a Moorish-inspired style,
adding arcades, thermal baths, the Grand Hotel, a casino, and concert
halls. By the late 19th century, Vittel had transformed into a luxurious
destination, exporting millions of bottles annually and gaining
recognition for treating ailments like arthritis.
The Belle
Époque Glamour (Late 19th to Early 20th Century)
During the Belle
Époque (roughly 1871–1914), Vittel epitomized opulent spa tourism,
attracting socialites, aristocrats, and the European elite who flocked
to the Vosges Mountains for both health benefits and a vibrant social
scene. The town's thermal waters, sourced from an 80-meter-deep spring
via a natural geological fault, were touted for their purity and
curative effects. Visitors paraded in fine attire through manicured
parks and the casino, evoking a glamorous, almost theatrical atmosphere
reminiscent of a "Grand Budapest Hotel." The architecture, including
Garnier's grand thermal gallery and later sleek white-façade buildings
symbolizing the water's purity, enhanced its allure. Railroad expansions
made remote spas like Vittel accessible, turning it into a hub for
leisure and networking among the wealthy. In 1898, glass bottling was
introduced for home consumption, and by 1903, the French Academy of
Medicine declared Vittel's water "of public interest," solidifying its
international reputation. Production soared, with over three million
bottles and demijohns exported annually by the early 1900s.
World
War I and Interwar Period
World War I interrupted Vittel's
prosperity. From November 1917 to February 1919, the town hosted U.S.
Army Base Hospital 36, staffed by personnel from the Detroit College of
Medicine and Surgery (now Wayne State University School of Medicine).
Five resort hotels and the casino were repurposed for medical care,
treating Allied soldiers. Post-war, under Jean Bouloumié (Ambroise's son
and mayor from 1919–1945), the resort recovered. In 1929, a modern
bottling factory was built, connected to the railway, shifting marketing
toward everyday consumption rather than just spa extensions.
World War II: The Internment Camp and Liberation
During World War II,
Vittel's role shifted dramatically under German occupation. In May 1941,
the German military established Ilag Vittel (Internierungslager Vittel)
as part of the Frontstalag 194 POW complex, commanded by Captain Otto
Landhauser. Initially, it housed about 2,060 British women, children,
and elderly civilians interned in response to British threats against
German prisoners. American civilians joined in 1942, with the camp's
population peaking at around 3,000. Unlike harsh POW camps, Vittel was a
"model" facility: prisoners resided in luxury hotels within a
barbed-wire-enclosed park, with access to running water, mail, Red Cross
packages, education, entertainment (films, theater), and no forced
labor. The Germans used it for propaganda to showcase humane treatment.
From January 1943, Jewish prisoners—mostly from Poland, holding or
promised Latin American citizenship papers—arrived as hostages for
potential exchanges with interned Germans abroad. About 300 Jews were
interned, housed separately but under relatively good conditions.
Notable figures included poet Itzhak Katzenelson, who wrote "Song of the
Murdered Jewish People" (later recovered from the park), and diarist
Mary Berg. However, in May 1944, around 250 Jews were deported to
Auschwitz and murdered after a German commission invalidated many
documents. Humanitarian efforts, including Vatican intervention, saved
some, but an estimated 300 Jews did not survive the war. Catholic nuns
from the Soeurs du Saint Esprit cared for Jewish girls, and some
internees were exchanged and sent to the U.S. or Britain.
In summer
1944, during the Battle of France, a grass airstrip north of town (now a
horse racetrack) served U.S. Army Air Forces liaison aircraft and later
headquartered fighter wings. Captured Luftwaffe planes were held there
under Operation Lusty. Vittel was liberated by Free French forces on
September 12, 1944 (or U.S. Army on September 10, per some accounts). In
October 1944, the Hotel Continental became part of U.S. Army Base
Hospital Number 23.
Post-War Decline, Modern Economy, and
Controversies
Post-WWII, Vittel's glamour faded due to economic
hardships, war damage, and the rise of urban spas, making remote
retreats less appealing. The Bouloumié family continued involvement,
with Guy de la Motte-Bouloumié serving as mayor (1953–1977 and
1995–2001). In 1968, Club Med took over the resort, and Air France
commissioned plastic bottles for in-flight use, expanding Vittel water
into supermarkets. A second spring, Vittel Bonne Source, was tapped in
1990 for exports, and bottles switched to recyclable PET in 1994. The
thermal baths were sold to the Partouche Group in 2001 and repurchased
by the town in 2008. Partnerships with events like the Tour de France
(from 2008) and product innovations, such as Organic Infused Fruits
(2018) and Vittel Up (2019), modernized the brand.
Today, Vittel's
economy centers on Nestlé Waters France, which bottles and sells Vittel
mineral water globally. A notable 2019 controversy involved groundwater
depletion, pitting Nestlé against locals and farmers in a battle over
water rights, resolved through negotiations with agricultural
stakeholders and INRA for ecosystem protection. As of 2022, the town has
a population of about 4,766 across 24.13 km², with an average elevation
of 335 meters. It remains a quiet spa destination, blending historical
charm with modern water production.
By train
Train connections to Nancy (1h15) and Épinal (1h), but
not particularly frequent. 1 Vittel station is on the line to Nancy
In the street
Vittel is about 12 km from the A31 slip road at
Bulgnéville
It is about 46 km to Épinal via the D 165
Vittel is on
the Green Road holiday route (Route Verde), which goes from the
neighboring town of Contrexéville through Alsace via Freiburg im
Breisgau and the southern Black Forest to Donaueschingen. There is also
a bike tour variant.
The city is located about 40 kilometers west of the departmental
capital (prefecture) Épinal at an altitude of 322 to 457 m above sea
level. A few kilometers southeast of Vittel (at the Col des Clochettes)
is the watershed that separates the catchment areas of the Meuse, Rhine
(North Sea) and Rhone (Mediterranean) rivers. Vittel is crossed by the
little river Petit Vair, into which its tributary Belle Fontaine flows.
Neighboring communes of Vittel are Parey-sous-Montfort and
They-sous-Montfort to the north, Haréville and Valleroy-le-Sec to the
east, Thuillières to the south-east, Lignéville to the south,
Contrexéville to the south-west and Norroy and Saint-Remimont to the
west.
Hydrographic network
The town is located in the watershed of the
Meuse within the Rhine-Meuse basin. It is drained by the Petit Vair
stream, the Belle Fontaine stream, the They stream, the Malmaison stream
and the Pre Janneton stream.
The Petit Vair, with a total length
of 15.6 km, has its source in the town of Thuillières and flows into the
Vair at Saint-Remimont, on the border with Belmont-sur-Vair, after
having crossed six towns.
Water management and quality
The
municipal territory is covered by the water development and management
plan (SAGE) “Grès groundwater from the Lower Triassic”. This planning
document, whose territory includes the perimeter of the water
distribution zone of the Lower Triassic Sandstone aquifer (GTI),
with an area of 1,497 km2, is currently being drawn up. The objective
pursued is to stabilize the piezometric levels of the GTI aquifer and
achieve a balance between withdrawals and the recharge capacity of the
aquifer. It must be consistent with the quality objectives defined in
the Rhine-Meuse and Rhône-Mediterranean SDAGEs. The supporting structure
for development and implementation is the Vosges departmental council.
The quality of watercourses can be consulted on a dedicated site
managed by the water agencies and the French Agency for Biodiversity.