The spa market - France

A spa is defined as an establishment that uses water from mineral springs, as well as the mud and gases derived from them, to treat the ailments or pathologies of spa-goers. [Ministry of Health] With a long tradition in France, spa establishments have stood the test of time, becoming an integral part of the French healthcare system. Providing a livelihood for many thousands of people, a whole ecosystem has been built up around spa establishments (accommodation, entertainment, etc.). This represents a market worth several hundred million euros. In 2022, both the global and French markets are growing, but are still below their pre-covid levels, the crisis having permanently reduced the number of establishments. The global market, largely dominated by Europe and Asia, is expected to exceed its 2019 level by 2025. Primarily aimed at retirees suffering from rheumatological problems, spa stays also represent a moment of relaxation for the hundreds of thousands of curists who visit the establishments of major chains such as the Chaîne Thermale du Soleil every year. Since the early 2000s, controls on the quality of the water used by spas have been stepped up, spurred on by the public authorities' determination to better regulate this expenditure by the Assurance Maladie. Thermal spas have not stopped there; they are also trying to attract younger customers through thermoludism, by emphasizing their proximity to the area and by moving upmarket, as demonstrated by the Vichy Accélération 2030 works plan: this 56 million euro renovation plan began in autumn 2023 and aims to renovate and upgrade the 3 thermal baths of the France Thermes group in Vichy.