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Hot springSavoie

Sources du Soufre et de l'Alun et thermes romains d'Aix-les-Bains

Aix-les-Bains

Dimensions
Historic springs: Soufre 45 °C, Alun 42 °C; treatment water today drawn from two boreholes (Reine-Hortense, 1,100 m, 38 °C; Chevalley, 2,200 m, about 70 °C) (Académie de médecine, 2007)
Period
End of the 1st century AD (arch of Campanus); 2nd century (temple known as of Diana); 1776–1783 (Bâtiment Royal des Bains); 1816 (Lamartine); 1821 (rescue of the arch); 29 August 1860 (Napoléon III, according to Wikipedia EN); March 1993 (boreholes)
What stands there
Temperature: 45 and 42 °C (Académie nationale de médecine, opinion of 27 February 2007); Chevalley 72 °C in the text, 70 °C in the table. Status of the springs: the Académie writes that the two boreholes ‘completely replaced the natural springs from March 1993’ and that thermal exploitation is done solely through their mixture; the BRGM (report of May 2004) writes that, of the two natural springs, only the Alun is still used, after chlorination, for the pools of the baths. The two texts are therefore compatible (different uses); I do not know whether the natural springs still flow visibly. Mérimée (rank 1): national baths, foundations of the Roman baths still visible in the basement, Bâtiment Royal commissioned in 1776 by Victor-Amédée III and completed in 1783, repaired in 1816, enlarged in 1829–1832 then 1854–1861 by Pellegrini (PA00118174, inscribed 2016); remains of the Roman baths listed on 9 August 1921 (PA00118175); Roman temple known as of Diana listed in 1875 (PA00118173); arch: probably end of the 1st century, ‘more likely a monumental gate opening towards the baths’ (funerary or votive arch also considered), saved in 1821 (IA73001281, listed 1890). 2nd-century temple: confirmed by the Tourisme France guide. Lamartine: October 1816 at the waters of Aix, meets Julie Charles (Larousse). Napoléon III on 29 August 1860: Wikipédia EN (articles History of Aix-les-Bains and History of Savoy 1860–1914), no rank 1–3 source read. ‘Borvo’ hypothesis for the temple: cautious on the Savoie Mont Blanc website (‘perhaps’). Not verified: visit of the Roman remains.

At Aix, the water emerges hot and laden with sulphur and alum: two historic springs, called Soufre and Alun, measured at 45 and 42 °C in an opinion of the Académie de médecine (2007). The Inventaire notes that the foundations of the Roman baths remain visible in the basement of the present baths; the remains of Roman baths have been listed since 1921. Near them stand the Roman temple known as of Diana (2nd century) and the arch of Campanus, raised around the end of the 1st century by Lucius Pompeius Campanus; the Inventaire sees in it more likely a monumental gate towards the baths than a funerary arch. Used as a stable wall and then a barn, the arch escaped destruction in 1821 thanks to the intendant général of Savoy. King Victor-Amédée III commissioned the Bâtiment Royal des Bains in 1776; it was completed in 1783, repaired in 1816, then enlarged from 1829. Lamartine met Julie Charles there in October 1816, his future ‘Elvire’. Napoléon III visited the town on 29 August 1860, according to Wikipedia EN. As for the water, the Académie writes that two boreholes (1,100 and 2,200 m) have replaced the natural springs for treatments since March 1993; the BRGM noted in 2004 that the source de l'Alun still fed the pools, after chlorination.

Mérimée — Thermes nationaux d'Aix-les-Bains (PA00118174) ↗

Further reading

Getting there: The arch of Campanus can be seen freely in front of the former national baths, between the place des Thermes and the place Maurice Mollard (Inventaire); open every day according to the tourist office (page consulted on 22 October 2026). The temple known as of Diana is in the town hall and can be visited only on a guided tour (Savoie Mont Blanc). Thermal treatments take place in a paying establishment; the visit of the Roman remains of the baths has not been verified. Coordinates: Roman remains of the national baths in OpenStreetMap; the arch is about 115 m away. This entry is distinct from that of the lac du Bourget (several kilometres away).

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

See it on the map OpenStreetMap Directions

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In the same department

All places — Savoie (20).