The thermal health spa

The thermal waters

Away from all pollution, Bagnoles de l’Orne benefits from a low-altitude, temperate maritime climate with relaxing and invigorating benefits that are well suited to treating chronic circulation and rheumatic disorders. The thermal water of Bagnoles is known for its anti-oedema, sedative and relaxing properties as well as its hormone rebalancing effect at different stages of life.

Bagnoles’ natural mineral water flows at a constant rate whatever the season or weather conditions. It owes its unique therapeutic properties to its high levels of trace elements, gentle mineralisation and dissolved gases. It’s acidic pH is at the optimal level to allow the skin to absorb these minerals.

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The B’O Resort

The thermal health spa has two treatment areas: B’O Thermes and B’O Spa Thermal. The first area is a functional space dedicated to three-week thermal treatment programmes at regulated rates. In addition to the same high quality treatment programs, the B’O Spa Thermal offers additional comfort including two relaxation rooms, herbal tea bars, a steam room that uses the thermal waters, and a sauna.

The spa can be used to complement a thermal treatment programme, or independently for an afternoon, a weekend or a week’s holiday at Bagnoles de l’Orne. B’O Resort has both three- and four-star hotel accommodation and a restaurant.

Treatments

The signature treatment is a deep bath that guarantees a calm and relaxing effect. The pool with submerged water jets relieves spinal problems while water jets in the localised standing shower have analgesic and relaxing properties. The cold-water walk-through pool loosens up the joints. Applications of mineral-rich clay, spa baths, hydromassage and underwater massage are relaxing treatments that are prioritized throughout your treatment programme.

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The European Historic Thermal Towns Association

Bagnoles de l’Orne is a member of the European Historic Thermal Towns Association (EHTTA). The network was created in Brussels in 2009, and now brings together 40 thermal spa towns in 15 European countries. Watering places in this network are recognised at the European level for their iconic architectural heritage and the curative properties of their mineral waters.

The history of Bagnoles’ thermal baths

The earliest documents in the archives about the thermal baths go back to the 16th century. At that time a simple log cabin protected the spring. Hélie De Cerny built the first proper building, which housed three pools into which the water successively flowed. The first was reserved for men, the second for women, and the third for the poor.

In 1812, M. Lemachois bought the establishment and restored it with the help of an Italian benefactor, the Marquis de Sommariva. He created a park of around a hundred acres around the bathing establishment. Later, the buildings were turned into a hospital for Napoleon I’s soldiers. After several changes of ownership (during which time the establishment was refitted and had a hotel added to it) Alexis Duparchy bought the thermal baths and had the first casino built.

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The spa resort’s fame in the 19^th century

It was only in the 19^th century that scientific research proved the effectiveness of the waters at Bagnoles for treatment of circulatory disorders and phlebitis. Between 1920 and 1935, Bagnoles de l’Orne gained a worldwide reputation due to its promotion by doctors and its elite visitors, who included kings and politicians.

After the war, its very comfortably off clientèle was gradually replaced by less wealthy patients as it started offering treatments for the sick. Today, the thermal health spa has around 13,000 patients each year, who come for the treatment of phlebological, rheumatic and gynecological disorders.