Plombières-les-Bains, spa town

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In Plombières-les-Bains, water is omnipresent while remaining discreet and hidden. It is even at the origin of the name of the city: Plombières comes from the Celtic Plon which means hot water and Ber. Here, the many baths have the warmest waters in Europe. These baths from all eras have been visited by the greatest public and political figures of their time. These waters with magical properties treat rheumatism, digestive diseases but also fertility. They attracted the Grand Duke of Lorraine Stanislas Leszczynski, Joséphine de Beauharnais and Napoleon III.

The Napoleon thermal baths in Plombières-les-Bains
A little history...

Plombières-les-Bains in Roman times

It was in the 4nd century that a Roman garrison discovered the hot springs of Plombières. According to legend, one winter evening, when the biting cold chilled the Roman soldiers, their dogs returned from their walk steaming and soaking wet. Intrigued, they asked their four-legged companions to show them the way. The dogs led them to the edge of a hot spring. Knowing the beneficial properties of the waters, the Romans explored the surrounding area and discovered a spring.

The Golden Age of Hydrotherapy

In the 6th century, thermal spas experienced exceptional growth throughout France, largely thanks to the development of railway lines such as the "Water Train," which connected Plombières to Paris in under six hours. The development of Plombières-les-Bains is closely linked to Emperor Napoleon III, who significantly modernized the spa town and created a marvel of architecture and modernity: the Napoleon Baths.
Audioguided tour of Plombières

Discover the history of Plombières-les-Bains with our audio-guided tour. Follow in the footsteps of François-Louis Français, a landscape painter born in Plombières-les-Bains in 1817. Let yourself be guided for a complete exploration of the town, from its thermal baths to its private mansions, including legendary encounters.

Audio guides are available for rent at the Plombières tourist office (10 place Beaumarchais) or on our mobile application “Remiremont Plombières Tourism”.

Plombières-les-Bains

The city of 1000 balconies

Plombières is the town of 1000 balconies. 1000 magnificent balconies, each unique and a symbol of the town. What could be better than seeing while being seen? But it's not without its dangers! In 1798, Josephine de Beauharnais went out onto a balcony with her friends, and it collapsed under their weight. Fortunately, the Empress escaped with only minor injuries, her fall broken by a soldier.

Plombières-les-Bains, city of a thousand balconies
Plombières Ice ©HungryNo
Tradition

Plombieres ice cream

Whether we are in the middle of winter or on the terrace enjoying the summer sun, there is no time to taste Plombières ice cream. And that, Napoleon III understood it well. This artisanal ice cream is prepared with Kirsch de Fougerolles, candied fruits from Apt on a base of custard. At the Tourist Office, we love it!

Discover all our specialties
The Espace Berlioz, a living showcase of the region

The Berlioz space aims to be a "living showcase of the region" because it works with and serves local stakeholders. It serves as their voice and spokesperson. It promotes and disseminates current and future initiatives, productions, and projects in its home region.

The two-year construction period is being used to test, showcase, and facilitate the adoption of this new facility: public site visits, screenings with the Passion Cinéma association, Eclats de Paysage (temporary exhibitions), and Carte Blanche events at Le Petit b (the temporary space within the Berlioz cultural center), as well as off-site events, are all ways to raise awareness of the project under construction and gradually refine its programming and future structure. All these activities can be found in the Berlioz Journal, published each season.

Read Berlioz's Journal
Religion

The Hillside of the Virgin

In 1832 and 1874, two cholera epidemics struck Lorraine and France. The disease spread rapidly, forcing some villages to quarantine the sick. Nationally, the disease claimed approximately 143,000 lives, but none in Plombières! The town was supposedly completely spared by both epidemics thanks to numerous prayers to the Virgin Mary. To thank the Virgin for her miracle, a statue, Our Lady of the Waters, was erected on the heights of Plombières-les-Bains on August 15, 1855. Cast in iron by Joseph-Hugues Fabisch, this little sister of Our Lady of Fourvière stands 2,13 meters tall. Since 1855, on the same date, Plombières-les-Bains has been adorned with 1000 lights. The pilgrims, torch in hand, will pay homage to Our Lady of the Waters after a procession departing from the church.
Hillside of the Virgin in Plombières-les-Bains
The team's favorite
“I fell under the spell of the arcaded house. There is something magical and romantic that emanates from this house. In the midst of an exceptional historical setting, the architecture represents a perfect example of neoclassicism. The staircase and the wrought iron gate are truly a jewel by André Grillot, a student of Jean Lamour. One cannot pass by this house without being indifferent!”

– Morgane

Morgane