Aix-les-Bains City Guide
At the heart of the Savoie Olympic region, between the Alps and the Jura mountains, Aix-les-Bains is the second busiest spa town in France. Situated on the edge of the Le Bourget lake, the largest natural lake in France, this scenic area has a lot to offer, including a variety of sports, museums and roman architecture.
What to do and see in and around Aix-les-Bains
The Lac du Bourget
This 44 sqm freshwater lake is home to about fifty varieties of fish. Linked to the Rhône via the Savière Canal, the lake provides a beautiful location for a variety of water sports such as swimming, diving and sailing and water which reaches 25 degrees in the summer. Lake cruises are also available.
The Maison du Lac
Run by the French Ministry of the Environment, The Maison du Lac is the largest freshwater aquarium in France and is designed to teach the public about the protection and management of a natural aquatic environment. There are 42 species of fish on show, 33 of which live in the lake.
Mont Revard
At a height of 1550 metres the mountain provides a scenic backdrop to the town and offers a panoramic view of Mont Blanc. It’s paths and marked cross-country skiing runs are popular with sport enthusiasts, walkers and cyclists.
Thermes d’Aix-les-Bains
The Baths or Thermes of Aix-les-Bains were a very chic destination during the 19th century, and became a favourite of Queen Victoria who came to take the waters and enjoy the climate. You too can enjoy some thermal therapy throughout the year at Chevally Thermal Baths which opened in May 2000.
The Casino Grand Cercle
Founded in 1850 by King Victor Emmanuel II, the Casino Grand Cercle became the central meeting point of the town by the late 19th century. With the addition of several drawing rooms, a romantic theatre and a restaurant as well as mosaic covered ceilings this elegant building provides a beautiful backdrop for a game of roulette.
Société des Courses
Over a hundred years old, the Aix-les-Bains Société des Courses (racing association) organizes trotting races, steeplechasing and betting over the summer months.
Arc de Campanus
Erected by Lucius Pompeius Campanus, patrician of the Roman Gaule Narbonnaise region, in honour of deceased members of his family, this funeral arch is more than 9 meters high and built of dressed stone without mortar. It was customary to build necropolises around spas in roman times as it was thought that thermal springs were in communion with the world of the dead.
Musee Lapidaire
This ancient sanctuary houses the archaeological museum. The museum exhibits a collection of statues and antiquities including objects from sites on the banks of the lake which are thought to have been Bronze Age towns. The sanctuary bears Diana’s name because in the Middle Ages it was the custom to give the name of the Goddess of the Bath to pagan monuments relating to water.
Musee Faure
This delightful museum is named after Doctor Faure, a pharmacist who lived in Aix-les-Bains. Faure spent a lot of time in Paris where he amassed a large collection of artwork. His collection contained about a hundred landscapes and nudes, mainly of the Impressionist school, including sculptures by Degas and Rodin. This he bequeathed, to Aix-les-Bains, where it has been shown in a villa called "Les Chimères" since 1949.
Chateau de la Roche du Roi
Classified as a historic monument, this extravagant folly was built by the Lyon architect Jules Pin. It is thanks to him that Aix-les-Bains retains its air of a 19th Century pleasure zone. This eccentric building, an oriental palace with a donjon, a terrace, balconies and trellises was completed in 1990.
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