Skip to main content
news
contact us
Our destinations
English
"In Vichy become an actor of your health."
icon

The Roaring Twenties in Vichy A cosmopolitan and aristocratic clientèle.

After World War I, Vichy in France continued to grow. 80,000 came in 1919 and 148,000 in 1938 (with as many as 250,000 according to certain figures). Its popularity is a reflection of a great sense of openness that was occurring in the world. This was a cosmopolitan phenomenon, with people from every country and colony mingling in Vichy (and with 1/5 to 1/6 foreigners among the total number of visitors). It was also a widely diversified crowd that included business tycoons, aristocrats, political and diplomatic figures, all the way down to humble colonial administration personnel who came for "reconstitution" in Vichy.
 
Given this increase in the number of visitors, the thermal infrastructures underwent renewal (including enlarging the Grand Thermal Spa, the Callou and Lardy baths), thereby multiplying and modernizing the station's therapeutic arsenal. Innovations influenced various arenas: illutation (mud treatments) enlarged the range of Vichy Thermal Spa techniques, radiographic services performed in the thermal spa helped in making medical diagnoses, the Dietetic Service strengthened the nutritional element of the treatment, and the Center for Hydrological Research in Vichy improved researched efforts in hydrology.
 
Sports remained a major draw for visitors to Vichy in France. Beyond golf and tennis, the pigeon shooting range became one of the favorite scenes for thermal spa camaraderie. As for artistic endeavors, they were indeed impressive, and they were adapted to suit every taste. Operas, operettas, music-hall revues and musical festivals contributed to making Vichy the synthesis of musical life in France.
Retrospective
Vichy Guide for foreigners – Season 1939
Art - Vichy Guide 1939

Mr. Truefitt, the director of Daily Mail and S.E. El Mokri, the Great Vizier of Morocco (among the guests of Vichy). After golf, tennis and the sport club, the city opens its doors for swimmers and builds the first public swimming pool in Vichy.

Vichy Guide for foreigners – Season 1938
Art - Vichy Guide 1938

Albert Carré, the director of the agency Havas and Sir John Wallis, the private councilor to the Court of England (among the guests of Vichy). Mary Marquet (in performance). The city is surrounded by parks with the Thermal Center, Casino and the sport club on the first place.

Vichy Guide for foreigners – Season 1937
Art - Vichy Guide 1937

The King of Egypt S.M. Farouk and jeweler L. Arpels (among the guests of Vichy). Establishment of the children sport park made more popular the Thermal resort, that used to offer sport activities for adults only.

Vichy Guide for foreigners – Season 1936
Art - Vichy Guide 1936

Léon Rénier, the president of the Havas (among the guests of Vichy). Serge Lifar (in performance). The front page of this guide could become a poster. The measure cup, which symbolize hydrotherapy, is on the background of sport – the dynamic and popular element of the thermal resort: golf, tennis, kayaking.

Vichy Guide for foreigners – Season 1935
Art - Vichy Guide 1935

Sir Oppenheimer (the founder of the diamond and gold mining company) and Richard Strauss (among the guests of Vichy). Madeleine Renaud (in performance). Sport remains on the first place. On the background the dome of the Thermal Center and two minarets.

Vichy Guide for foreigners – Season 1934
Art - Vichy Guide 1934

Renée Saint-Cyr, the movie star and the mother of G. Lautner (among the guests of Vichy). Joséphine Baker (in performance). Architectural knowhow in the new baths Callou: asymmetrical spa was created (for men on one side and for women on another).

Vichy Guide for foreigners – Season 1933
Art - Vichy Guide 1933

The Sultan of Morocco (among the guests of Vichy). Joséphine Baker and Ray Ventura (in performance). Since 1877 horse-race becomes one of the other entertainments of the Thermal resort.

Vichy Guide for foreigners – Season 1932
Art - Vichy Guide 1932

Pol Roger (French Champaign) among the guests of Vichy. Symphonic orchestra concerts perform in the city’s Casino. The new look of the source Célestins helps to avoid urban aspect of Vichy.

Vichy Guide for foreigners – Season 1931
Art - Vichy Guide 1931

The Parisian Earl (among the guests of Vichy). This is the year of establishment of the Vichy’s dermatology-hygienic society (Vichy products). The new airport of Vichy launches new destinations to London, Algeria, Paris and Lyon.