In a verdant setting at the heart of the valleys of the Bourbonnais hedged farmland, the welcoming spa resort of Bourbon-l'Archambault has been famous since Antiquity for the therapeutic benefits of its water.
Boasting a prestigious past, the town of Bourbon-l'Archambault, dominated by the medieval form of the relics of its 13th-century fortress, was the birthplace of the Bourbon dynasty. Open from February to November, the Castle of the Dukes of Bourbon offers a beautiful view over the roofs of the spa town and the surrounding landscapes from its crenellations. Visit the castle alone or with a guide and you can learn about daily life in the old days and medieval arts as you tour the different rooms in the three north towers.
Bourbon-l'Archambault also has a spa quarter, formerly popular among the royal and imperial courts with its pleasant park and superb Thermal Baths which are a listed Historic Monument, specialising in the treatment of rheumatism and gynaecological disorders. Relaxation and vitality packages are also available.
Spa and green resort, Small City of Character, Bourbon-l'Archambault combines the labels to offer a moment of pure pleasure to its visitors. Nestled in the hollow of a Bourbon valley, the city deploys a rich historical heritage and retains a particular cachet with its architecture from another era. From small cobbled streets to Romanesque churches, the charm of the town is discovered during walks. Set in lush greenery, the medieval city attracts spa guests as much as lovers of old stones and nature. Its name of Bourbon-l'Archambault, it takes it from the nine lords who lived in the historic capital of the Bourbon dynasty. The locality takes its name from Borvo, the Celtic healing god, and from Archambault, the name mainly borne by the founders of the seigneury of Bourbon. It was the Celts, very fond of thermal baths, who had highlighted the beneficial springs. A medieval city dominated by the imposing remains of the Bourbon family home, the town never ceased to be frequented for its thermal baths, and became the queen of spa towns and a favored destination for the entire court of Louis XIV. Frequented then by the greatest ladies of the 17th century (Sévigné, Montespan...), the thermal baths acquired a solid reputation which still continues today.
Between the old stones, the thermal baths and the wooded surroundings, your visit is likely to be very rhythmic. The overview of this extraordinary city begins with its historical heritage. At the top of the list of must-see places is the Château des Bourbons. An impressive building from the 13th and 14th centuries, altered several times over time, the imposing stronghold is one of the most visited places in the Allier. Open from February to November, the site welcomes you for visits which allow you to grasp its historical importance and which focus on reading and making the stones speak. In groups of about twenty people (by reservation), alone, with family or friends, the site can be explored with or without a guide. A superb panorama of the city and its countryside awaits the visitor upon arrival on the terrace of the towers.
The thermal baths are also a jewel of the heritage of Bourbon-l'Archambault. The old building called the Logis du Roy housed the thermal baths before the construction of the new thermal establishment (1885). The building dates from the 17th century and was staged in three points reserved for women, men and priests. The current large thermal establishment gradually replaced the Logis du Roy, which had become too small. Today, the establishment welcomes you for high quality thermal cures.
The Saint-Georges church, meanwhile, welcomes you in the middle of a pretty wooded park. The building dates from the middle of the 12th century and housed the offices of a priory of Benedictine nuns. Remodeled several times, the chapel has been enriched over the centuries with several other chapels forming a harmonious and relaxing whole. Château Bignon and its park will complete your overview of the city. The building now houses the municipal council hall and various events. The park, fully landscaped, allows you to enjoy various sports such as the swimming pool, the bowling alley with its tracks for Lyon balls and petanque, tennis courts and a playground. This is also where the communal campsite is located. And to learn even more about the history of the city, a visit to the Augustin Bernard museum, open from the beginning of April to the end of October on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, is a must.
The Casino (slot machines, table games, catering, piano bar, performance hall, etc.) is open every day from 10am.
At Bourbon-l'Archambault, there are always animations. Among the most awaited, the hiking of the 7 hills, in spring, holds a good place. It is an opportunity to discover the whole historical and forest heritage of the city in a playful way. Initially, a semi-dummy map and photos to find the place. Each team, made up of children and adults, must connect all the points of the city and bring back the evidence of its course in the best time. The winners are celebrated in the evening by the awards ceremony and a pot of friendship. Rally dates are from March to October.
After the pedestrian rally, it is the car rally in bourbonnais bocage that awaits you at the beginning of summer. Here again, a semi-dumb map and photos of the places to be found mark the course of a good hundred kilometers.
Every Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon, dancing animations at the Casino of Bourbon-l'Archambault. Free admission.
