- 🏆 An address tested by our editorial team · Pépites Lodges et Spas, near Montluçon, rated 9.2/10 after a real-stay test.
- ♨️ One of Europe’s largest medical spas · the 7,500 m² at Célestins, featuring 44 treatment rooms and direct access to Vichy thermal water.
- 🏰 Two châteaux · Codignat, a Relais & Châteaux property since 1975 set in a 15-hectare park, and Ygrande, a family- and equestrian-focused retreat in the Allier.
- 💶 The best value for money in France · for comparable facilities, Auvergne remains 30 to 40% cheaper than the Alps or the Côte d’Azur.
Auvergne boasts an advantage no other French region can claim: its thermal waters have supplied spas since the 19th century, and this heritage now underpins a robust wellness hospitality sector. We have selected four addresses, led by the property tested and rated 9.2/10 by our editorial team.
1. Pépites Lodges et Spas, a private spa all to yourself
Tested by LRDH9.2/10
Our regional favourite. The concept is straightforward and rare: each lodge features its own private spa, with no time slots to book and no shared facilities. This concept has evolved dramatically in French hospitality in recent years, and the Allier region offers a refined take on it, overlooking a pond and meadow.
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We rated the property 9.2/10 following our stay. The main highlight in practice: complete privacy with no overlooked views, making all the difference compared to a traditional hotel spa.
2. Célestins Spa Thermal & Hôtel, the region’s largest thermal spa
This is the region’s heavy hitter and one of Europe’s largest medical spas. 7,500 m², 44 treatment rooms, a giant thermal water bath, an aquasport pool, saunas, steam room and ice fountain: the property leverages scale alongside the medical credibility of Vichy thermal water.
It is the go-to choice for health cures, fitness retreats or recovery stays, rather than leisure weekend breaks.
3. Château de Codignat, Auvergne’s Relais & Châteaux
Located a few kilometres from Clermont-Ferrand, this medieval château has been a Relais & Châteaux member since 1975, making it one of the label’s longest-standing properties in France. Just nineteen rooms, spread between the château and the park, alongside an outdoor pool and wellness area.
It is the ideal setup for a short romantic getaway, complete with a fine dining restaurant on site.
4. Château d’Ygrande, the family and equestrian retreat
Three hours from Paris towards Vichy, Château d’Ygrande takes a different approach: an estate where the spa, pool and steam room complement equestrian holidays and family gatherings rather than structured wellness programs.
It is the most accessible of the four, and the best suited to families with children.
Comparison of the 4 spa hotels in Auvergne
| Hotel | Location | The spa | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pépites Lodges et Spas | Near Montluçon | Private spa per lodge | 9.2/10 |
| Célestins Spa Thermal & Hôtel | Vichy | 7,500 m², 44 rooms, thermal water | Recommended |
| Château de Codignat | Bort-l’Étang | Wellness area, pool, park | Recommended |
| Château d’Ygrande | Ygrande | Steam room and pool | Recommended |
Which one to choose for your stay
- If you want a spa all to yourself · Pépites Lodges et Spas, rated 9.2/10 by our team, with a private spa for each lodge and complete privacy.
- If spa treatments are the focus of your trip · Célestins, for its 7,500 m² and direct access to thermal water.
- For a romantic two-night getaway · Château de Codignat, with its 19 rooms and fine dining restaurant.
- For families · Château d’Ygrande, the most accessible option and the only one offering equestrian breaks.
Why Auvergne remains underrated
The region suffers from a gap between its hospitality reality and its public perception. For comparable amenities, a night with spa access costs 30 to 40% less here than in the Alps or on the Côte d’Azur, and the main season runs from April to November rather than being compressed into two months. Thermalism, long viewed as medical and dated, is precisely what gives these spas such extensive facilities. To benchmark these hotels nationally, our 2026 Palaces of France list provides a point of comparison, while our guide to spa hotels in the Var illustrates the price difference with the coast.
- 📍 Where · Auvergne, mainly Allier (Vichy, Montluçon, Ygrande) and Puy-de-Dôme
- 🚄 Getting there · Vichy is 2 h 40 from Paris by train, Clermont-Ferrand 3 h 30
- 📅 Best time to visit · April to November, with a much longer season than in mountain resorts
- 🔗 Official websites · vichy-spa-hotel.fr · chateaudecodignat.fr · chateauygrande.fr
