Thermal baths in Auvergne
Auvergne is the old province at the center of France, now part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, where the Massif Central rises into the dormant volcanoes of the Chaîne des Puys and the Monts Dore around Clermont-Ferrand. Hot springs rise across it, and the Romans bathed at some of them. The thermal spa of Aïga Resort sits in Châtel-Guyon inside the Volcans d'Auvergne regional park, with a pool of the town's thermal water, which the operator says is the richest in Europe in magnesium. In the Allier, Les Nériades fills its pools under a glass roof in the old pentagonal thermal building of Néris-les-Bains, built on the ruins of the Roman baths. In the Cantal, Caleden runs thermal leisure pools in Chaudes-Aigues, beside a spring that rises at 82 °C.
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Baths in Auvergne compared
Entry, swimwear rules, age limits and ticket type, side by side.
| Bath | Entry | Swimwear and rules | Age | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aïga Resort Thermal & SpaChâtel-Guyon |
| Swimsuit required; men wear swim briefs or boxers. Non-slip pool sandals required. | 16+ | Day ticket |
| CaledenChaudes-Aigues |
| Swim shorts are not allowed. Towels not provided (hire 4 EUR). | none stated | Day ticket |
| Spa Les NériadesNéris-les-Bains |
| Swimsuit required; swim shorts are not allowed. Own flip-flops and towels may not be used in the spa. | 16+ | Day ticket |
Every bath in Auvergne
Open all year unless the hours say otherwise.
Aïga Resort Thermal & Spa
Thermal bath, Châtel-Guyon · Pregnant women are not admitted to the pools. Hammams not recommended for people with heart conditions, epilepsy, circulatory problems or high or low blood pressure.
The thermal spa of Aïga Resort in Châtel-Guyon, a thermal complex in the Volcans d'Auvergne regional park, sells a half-day pass to its pools to non-residents.
Caleden
Thermal bath, Chaudes-Aigues · Extra time is charged at 5 EUR per person per quarter hour. No booking for the pools.
The thermal leisure pools of Chaudes-Aigues, in the Cantal, run alongside the town's cure centre, which draws water from the Par spring at 82 °C at the source, a spring the Romans already used.
Spa Les Nériades
Thermal bath, Néris-les-Bains · Soap shower required before entering. Inflatables and masks are not allowed.
Les Nériades is the thermal spa of Néris-les-Bains, set in the town's old pentagonal thermal building, which stands on the ruins of the Roman baths.
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Questions about Auvergne
Can children go to the thermal spas in Auvergne?
Only at Caleden in Chaudes-Aigues, and only on Wednesdays and Saturdays for ages 6 to 15. The Aïga Resort in Châtel-Guyon doesn't admit under-16s, even with an adult, because of the properties of the thermal water, and pregnant women may not use its pools. Les Nériades takes swimmers from 16, with an adult if under 18, and keeps its sauna and hammam closed to minors.
What swimwear do the Auvergne thermal spas allow?
A swimsuit, and swim shorts are not allowed at Les Nériades or Caleden. At the Aïga Resort men wear swim briefs or boxers, and non-slip pool sandals are required. Les Nériades doesn't let you use your own flip-flops or towels in the spa and asks for a soap shower before you go in. Caleden doesn't provide towels, though you can hire one.
How hot are the thermal springs in Auvergne?
Hot at the source: the Par spring at Chaudes-Aigues rises at 82 °C and the spring at Néris-les-Bains at 53 °C. The Romans already used the Par spring, which feeds the town's cure center beside Caleden, and Caleden adds a cold-water pool to its thermal lagoon. At Néris the water fills indoor and outdoor pools and an underwater music pool.
Are the Auvergne thermal spas open in winter?
Not all winter. The Aïga Resort in Châtel-Guyon closes for the winter from 7 December 2026, and Caleden in Chaudes-Aigues takes a winter break from 4 January to 5 February 2027.
Can you get to the Auvergne thermal spas by train?
Châtel-Guyon, yes: Riom Châtel-Guyon station is 5 km from town, and an RLV Mobilités bus links it with the town center from Monday to Saturday. Les Nériades in Néris-les-Bains and Caleden in Chaudes-Aigues are reached by car.