Bring a bottle and fill it up directly from the source of one of the famous mineral water springs in this French spa town.
Sip mineral-rich water at the Source de Célestins, the only one of Vichy’s famous springs from where the water is bottled and sold. This spring originates in the foothills of the volcanic peaks of Auvergne, before bubbling up here inside a grand early 20th-century pavilion.
The source takes its name from a 15th-century monastery that once stood on the same spot, and was built on the rock from which the Célestins waters naturally emerged. The convent was almost totally destroyed during the French Revolution, though a small section, originally thought to have served as a gardener’s dwelling, can still be seen within the park.
Admire the pavilion building in which the Célestins source is now housed. The airy, colonnaded space was built in 1908 and echoes Louis XVI style. Balustrades run underneath the open-air arches, which are set along the curved front façade of the pavilion.
Bring your own bottle or cup from which to sip the water, which is naturally slightly carbonated. Twist the bronze tap at the source to get it flowing. The Célestins water is often said to be the most diluted and drinkable of Vichy’s water sources, and is safe for anyone to consume. Many of the other mineral spring waters here are only meant to be taken by those who have received prescriptions from their doctors.
After tasting the waters, take a stroll around the surrounding Parc du Couvent des Célestins. This pleasant leafy park is a peaceful place for a stroll, and parts of it offer views over the River Allier.
If you want to try out Vichy’s other mineral waters, make your way to the Parc des Sources. This larger park is the city’s main recreation area and is also home to the Hall des Sources, an atrium where some of Vichy’s other healing waters can be tasted. Only some of the waters are free for the public. Others are only accessible to those who hold doctor-issued prescriptions.
Find the Source des Célestins north of the Allier River, just over a 15-minute walk south of Vichy train station.
