The spa and resort town of Vichy is located in the Auvergne region of central France on the banks of the Allier River, northwest of Lyon and southeast of Bourges. Be sure to reserve a rental car for your trip here, as the Massif Central mountain range is just a few miles away and offers stunning views around every bend.

The area around Vichy has been inhabited since Roman times and today it is enjoying a wonderful resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the efforts of Claude Malhuret, a co-founder of Médecins Sans Frontières, or ‘Doctors Without Borders.’ For example, modern-day Vichy has focused on creating a large pedestrian zone in the city’s centre, as well as on restoring the ancient thermal baths and developing the city’s rich architectural heritage. In addition, many of the hotels here have been upgraded and modernized, while the magnificent old Opera House has also been restored.