Paris to Vichy

I finally arrived in Paris at 8pm local time on Saturday 19th October.  I was met at the airport by Adrien, the son of my very good friend Anne. After greeting him, who should tap me on the shoulder and say hello, but Jorgia.  It was a huge surprise... I may have squealed and cried.

After that, we returned to the house of some friends of Anne where we stayed for the night. We woke up this morning to a spectacular Parisian morning.  Around 20° with blue skies.

We dropped Jorgia off at the train station around midday and then headed south for Vichy. This afternoon, Adrien and I enjoyed a drink at a bar on the Allier river and then I went for a nice walk.  Normally when I come to Vichy it's cold and bleak, so I really enjoyed seeing it in summer.

Vichy became famous as a thermal spa thanks to Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, the Marquise of Sévigné.  She was well known for her letters to her daughter which began to be published. In 1676, she became ill and did not completely recover until visiting the Termal spas in Vichy. Her letters depicting life in the 17th century town are among her best. Since this time, people have flocked to Vichy to have thermal treatments.

Below: The house of the Marquise Sérvigné.

Below: La source des Célestins

The Source des Celestins is named after the Célestins monks who constructed a monastery on this site in 1410.  The spring is 30 metres deep and the slightly sparkling water it provides is at a constant temperature of 17.3°.  The néo-classical building which houses the source is classed as a Historic Monument.

There are always people at the source filling 
their water bottles.