The dramatic gorge of the River Tiretaine runs through Royat and Chamalières, not far from Clermond Ferrand and the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Park. The spa town is reputed for being one of Europe’s most important centres for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and rheumatology, always commited to innovation and medical research.
Although its origins can be traced back to the 7th century, the classic spa town did not properly developed until 1850’s, when the visits of Napoleon III and the arrival of the railway triggered its popularity. Today, a walk through its spa park will take you into a journey through Royat-Chamalières’ history, from the Gallo-Romans archaelogic ruins to the Belle Époque colourful mosaics of the Saint Mart Pavillion, just to finish your day with a refreshing thermal experience at the Royatonic, a modern termoludique spa centre.
Royat-Chamalières’s mineral springs were already known by the Gallo-Romans thousand year ago, as proved by the archeological works developed in the area. Excavations at the Source-des-Roches mineral spring revealed an ancient shrine filled with ex-votos, thousands of anthropomorphic figures showing limbs and internal organs that were offered to the water deities in search for health. Very close, ruins from extensive bath house, part of which can be seen in the spa park,were also discovered.
Nevertheless, the history of the town itself officially began in the 7th century, linked to the figure of Count Genesius and her wife Helidia. The couple, unable to have children,followed the advice of the bishop of Clermont, Saint Priest (Saint Praejectus) about dedicating part of their fortune to built a retreat for lone or “abandoned women” in order to gain divine favor. As a result, Genesius ordered the construction of three monasteries in Marsac, Royat and Chamalières between years 654-670. This was the basis for the development of the medieval villages connected by the TIretaine river, with plenty of water mills scattered along its banks.
The rapid growth of Royat-Chamalières starting in the 1850s followed the clasic model of the French spa town, with buvettes, thermes, casinos and hotels organised in a Quartier Thermale with its wide, green spa park. Volcanic mountains like the Puy de Dome provided the bucolic backdrop to the final picture
Royat-Chamalières kept developing throughout the early 20th century, and despite the dark days of the second World War, the spa town reinvented itself with the establishment of the Institut de Recherches Cardio-Vasculaire (IRCV) in 1946, one of the first centres in Europe to cure cardiac problems and circulatory illnesses. The institute remains a leading research and treatment centre for cardiovascular diseases and rheumatology, renowned by its modern equipments, the professionalism of its medical team and, of course, the unique composition of its waters, 99.4 % pure carbonic.
The most used spring for local application is the Eugénie Buvette, with a constant abundant flow of 100.000 litres per hour. The warm mineral water, 32ºC temperature, is characterized by the extreme density of minerals and trace elements (5 grammes per litre).
Royat medical baths treat cardiovascular diseases and Raynaud phenomena, as well as rheumatolgical conditions (arthitis, fibromyalgia…) Thermal tecniques used include thermal mud wraps, sub-cutaneous thermal gas injections, water workout, immerged showers and steam showers.
