Thirteen stages to cross Vals-les-Bains while capturing the essence of the resort: the key locations, the charming corners, and that little something that makes you want to extend the walk. A route designed to allow time to observe, breathe, and be surprised.
The casino, the theater and the cinema
Parks and gardens
The pride of the Valsois, they are favorite places for walkers. They bring together the leisure activities and sports that make Vals so enjoyable: summer swimming pool, mini golf, boules games, children's merry-go-round, playground...
Nearby, clay tennis courts created in 1928 host matches and training sessions.
The Intermittent Garden
It is the most famous and undoubtedly the most appreciated because it contains an extraordinary phenomenon that is both graceful and full of force: the Intermittent Source. Born in 1865 following a drilling, this spring is famous for its natural gushes twice a day (Times: consult the Tourist Office).
The giant sequoia
The Vals-les-Bains Redwood, planted around 1867, is an exceptional 54-meter-tall evergreen sequoia, classified as a "remarkable tree of France" for its size and history. Native to California, it illustrates the enrichment of European parks in the XNUMXth century, in a context where European tree diversity was greatly reduced by glaciations, unlike in North America.
The thermal establishment
It has made Vals-les-Bains famous since 1845. Today, and for the past 50 years, the main therapeutic indication has been diabetes; but the resort also welcomes people suffering from metabolic disorders, nutritional diseases and rheumatism.
Space cycle has been extended and completely renovated. Upstairs, the wellness area Sequoia Redwood Spa opened its doors in 2021.
The Saint-Jean Pavilion
This building is a perfect imitation of the famous Greek rotundas, but in a modernist style, the architectural counterpart of Art Deco.
Vals mineral water
Naturally gaseous, it is captured by the Société des Mineral Water whose building stands on the left bank of the Volane. Family business since the 80s, it took off at the end of the 19th century.
The temple
Built in 1830, it replaced the one that had been destroyed during the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Simple and uncluttered, reflecting Calvinist sobriety, the building's size shows that the faithful remained numerous, despite a century of enforced secrecy.
Saint Martin's Church
It had a turbulent history until 1882, when its current neo-Gothic style was adopted. It was consecrated in 1888 and houses beautiful stained-glass windows.
The Champanhet house
Over 300 m2 and two levels of a superb bourgeois house remodeled in the 18th century, this museum space invites you to an astonishing cultural and heritage journeyDedicated to the Champanhet family, the mineral waters of Vals and the traditions and know-how of the Cévennes, the models, reconstructions, video films and collection material allow you to travel through the ages and their particularities in a unique atmosphere.
The old Town
Strolling through the cool, winding streets of the old town allows you to discover traces of the town's medieval past (gates, ramparts, castle ruins) and some of its houses that are more than a century old. In summer, at nightfall, a luminous stroll gives a mysterious dimension to this Valsois district ("The Dragon's Stroll": see the tourism office).
The castle belvedere
All that remains of the castle is this tower, which was converted into a lookout point in June 2014. From up there, you can admire one of the most beautiful views of Vals! To reach it, climb up to the Castle Square and then take the stairs leading to a metal door.
The calvary
Surrounded by the Stations of the Cross created by ceramic artist Bernadette Soufflet, a unique building stands on this promontory. Erected in 1732 by Mr. Malmazet in thanks for a cure, this replica of a Temple in Jerusalem, was damaged during the Revolution and rebuilt in 1863; it offers a
unique view of the city.
