There’s a sense of timeless grandeur as you approach Vals-les-Bains, the Ardèche town where thermal waters once drew aristocrats, artists and statesmen in search of vitality. That golden age has been rekindled with a €15 million (US$17.5 million, £13.1 million) reinvention of its historic baths. Set among leafy parkland and framed by 19th-century architecture, the facility combines modern luxury with a heritage that stretches back more than 150 years.
The 145 springs of Vals-les-Bains are high in bicarbonates, known for their digestive properties and potential benefits for conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and other metabolic disorders. They’ve also been proven to treat rheumatology, dermatology and circulatory ailments.
The refreshed complex now has two distinct divisions – the original medical/therapeutic hydrotherapy area, known as Thermes de Vals-les-Bains, and the Sequoia Redwood Spa, a modern wellness and relaxation offering. Both were renovated to serve complementary purposes: the thermal baths continue to provide medically approved treatments using the mineral springs, while the Sequoia Redwood Spa offers wellbeing, relaxation and leisure experiences, creating a complete health and wellness destination under one roof.
Dual approach
Fabrice Tareau, director of Thermes de Vals-les-Bains & Sequoia Redwood Spa, explains the strategy behind this dual approach: “Thermal cures remain a medically regulated service, targeting patients with specific therapeutic needs. Sequoia Redwood Spa, by contrast, is designed for leisure and wellness, appealing to a broader, international audience seeking relaxation and luxury experiences.”
Visits have surged … confirming the appetite for high-end wellness experiences
The redevelopment was carefully staged to create two distinct customer journeys within the same building. The ground floor accommodates hydrotherapy treatments reimbursed by the French National Health Service, while the upper floor features wellness cabins, panoramic relaxation areas, and Douglas fir and basalt stone interiors inspired by the Ardèche forests and volcanic landscape.
Luxury reimagined
The renovation began in 2016 and was spearheaded by the Syndicat Intercommunal pour le Thermalisme et l’Environnement (SITHERE), a public body created by local towns to manage and develop the region’s thermal baths, maintain the springs and reinvest in tourism. Its goal was to modernise the historic baths and attract a diverse clientele while respecting the Belle Époque architecture, with particular attention to sustainability and energy efficiency.
Under the guidance of Toulouse-based architect Luc Demolombe, the facility boasts numerous eco features, from advanced piping and heat recovery systems to minimise waste to high-performance boilers, heat pumps and ventilation that reduce energy consumption. All of which have been supported by ADEME, the French Agency for Environment and Energy Management and European funding.
Thermes de Vals-les-Bains & Sequoia Redwood Spa officially relaunched in 2021, featuring contemporary treatment rooms for massages and facials, wellness circuits and panoramic views of the surrounding parkland. Tareau highlights the importance of design in repositioning the spa internationally: “We aimed to merge contemporary luxury with natural materials, creating spaces that not only provide relaxation but also reinforce the identity of the spa’s heritage.”
The refurbishment also addressed operational efficiency and capacity. During peak periods, the spa employs up to 85 people across more than 15 professions. The medical side can now accommodate up to 5,000 patients per year, while the spa is designed to serve up to 80,000 visitors annually. Since reopening, attendance has jumped up, confirming the market appetite for high-end wellness experiences.
Local spending by medical and wellness spa clients is €9 million a year
Driving economic growth
Beyond architectural excellence, the redevelopment has had a measurable impact on the local economy (see below). The complex has bucked national trends in thermal tourism, with medical spa visits rising from 2,200 before the renovation to nearly 4,000 in 2023. Wellness visits have also surged from 30,000 in 2022 to more than 55,000 in 2024, with 2025 projected to exceed 60,000. Combined, these figures represent an 83 per cent increase.
What’s more, the local tourist office confirms Thermes de Vals-les-Bains & Sequoia Redwood Spa generated 186,432 nights in the town in 2023 and €20.7 million (US$23.78 million, £18.24 million) in revenues – including direct spa income and indirect spend on hotels and other local businesses. In total, local spending by spa guests amounted to €9 million (US$10.3 million, £7.9 million).
“These figures reflect the success of our dual approach, combining health and wellness while preserving our historical assets,” Tareau says. “The spa’s growth extends visitor stays, increases overnight bookings and benefits local restaurants, shops and cultural activities, amplifying the economic impact for the region.”
Local tourism
A key pillar of Tareau’s strategy is embedding the spa into the local tourism ecosystem. Close collaboration with the Ardèche Tourism Development Agency, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region and local municipalities enables the creation of integrated wellness packages, such as six-day preventive health cures combining mini thermal cures with leisure activities. These start at €420 (US$487, £370), excluding accommodation.
“The synergy with local stakeholders is essential,” Tareau explains. “We work together to create holistic experiences that combine healthcare, wellness, culture and gastronomy, positioning Vals-les-Bains as a multi-dimensional destination.”
Élise Mathieu, director of Aubenas, Vals and Antraigues tourist office, underscores the benefits of this approach: “Shared governance and joint marketing campaigns ensure visitors experience a seamless journey. It strengthens both the spa and the town, generating mutual economic benefits and elevating Vals-les-Bains’ profile nationally and internationally.”
Consumer expectations
Spa clients today seek experiences that blend health, relaxation and lifestyle. Traditional three-week hydrotherapy cures remain vital, but short preventive stays, wellness packages and luxury spa treatments are increasingly popular. Tareau observes: “We’ve seen a clear shift in demographics. Wellness offerings attract younger, more international visitors while maintaining our core medical clientele.”
Packages such as Thermal Mornings, which introduce elements of the medical cure, have been particularly successful. For €49 (US$57, £43) visitors can experience four treatments drawn from the hydrotherapy programme – a high-pressure hydrojet shower, thermal mud wrap, full-body mineral shower and a thermal shower or mud bath – providing both education and a bridge between leisure and medical wellness.
The spa also benefits from extended opening hours, daily accessibility and targeted promotional campaigns, contributing to increased repeat visits and higher per-visitor spend.
Future goals
Looking ahead, Tareau’s vision for both the town and the spa complex combines heritage, health and wellness with sustainable tourism. Future initiatives will diversify partnerships, integrate more local culture and gastronomy and also promote the architectural heritage of the spa as a key draw.
“Our objective is to position Vals-les-Bains as a reference for health and wellness tourism, nationally and internationally,” he says. “By uniting medical expertise, wellness experiences and heritage, we create an offering that is both commercially viable and culturally authentic.”
