A bit of history…

Before the mid-14th century, La Bourboule, which owes its name to the celtic god, “Borvo” (god of the springs) was just a little village: les Bains de Murat-le-Quaire. It became a town in its own right in 1875. But its origins go back way further, since the start of its thermal activity goes back to the Gallo-Roman era.

More definitely, around 1450 the first bathhouse, with its rustic wooden bathtubs, was built at the foot of the granite knoll, the “Roche des fées.”

The resort’s reputation began in 1814, with the construction of the first thermal establishment. 1854 was a decisive year, thanks to the discovery of the waters’ thermal properties: everyone then dreamt of harnessing their spring, and a veritable war of the wells began, before resulting in the construction of the Choussy establishment in 1872. In 1877, “Les Grands Thermes” was opened. Big name guests were then common at the resort: the Queen of Romania, Buster Keaton, King Farouk of Egypt, Sacha Guitry…