This spa town on Lake Bourget has welcomed visitors since Roman times. The thermal baths, Belle Époque casino, and lakeside beaches draw people year-round.
Aix-les-Bains sits on the eastern shore of Lake Bourget, France's largest natural lake, in the Savoie region. The Romans found thermal springs here in 131 BC, leading to the creation of a spa town with elegant 19th-century buildings. You can sail on Lake Bourget, climb Mont Revard's 1,500-meter peak, see Rodin sculptures at the Faure Museum, or relax in 33°C thermal pools at the Valvital complex.
Exploring Lake Bourget
Lake Bourget stretches 18 kilometers in length and reaches depths of 140 meters at its deepest point. You can sail, row, and dive in the clear waters throughout most of the year. Three sandy beaches - Mémard, Rowing, and Pointe des Lois - give you access to swimming areas, while the marina rents boats and equipment for water skiing. The 53-kilometer road around the lake connects small villages like Chindrieux and Conjux, with designated stops at viewpoints overlooking the water.
Thermal Baths and Wellness
The Valvital thermal complex continues the town's spa tradition with indoor and outdoor pools fed by natural springs at 33°C. The sulfur and alkaline-rich waters flow directly from underground sources. The Thermes Pellegrini building's Art Deco design includes round-arched windows and a marble-columned hall open to visitors.
The Grand-Cercle Casino
King Victor-Emmanuel II of Savoy commissioned the Casino Grand-Cercle in 1850. Today, you'll find 222 slot machines and gaming tables for blackjack, roulette, and poker inside this Belle Époque building. The interior preserves its original gilded ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and carved wooden panels from the 1850s.
Museums and Roman Sites
The Faure Museum, in a 1902 villa, contains France's second-largest collection of Rodin sculptures and works by Impressionist painters including Sisley and Pissarro. The Roman Temple of Diana, one of three complete Roman temples in France, contains an archaeological museum. Take a guided tour to see artifacts from the town's Roman period, including coins, pottery, and thermal bath remnants.
Mont Revard Activities
Mont Revard rises to 1,500 meters above sea level. In winter, 140 kilometers of marked trails make up France's largest cross-country ski network. Summer brings cyclists and hikers to paths like the Grotte des Fées trail - a two-hour loop with views over Lake Bourget. A paved road leads to the summit, where you can see Mont Blanc and the Jura Mountains on clear days.
Local Food and Wine
Restaurants in Aix-les-Bains serve Savoie regional dishes. Try lavaret, a whitefish caught in Lake Bourget, or cheese fondue made with local Beaufort and Emmental. The nearby Savoie vineyards produce wines from indigenous grapes like Jacquère and Mondeuse. Local wine bars and restaurants serve these wines by the glass or bottle.
Annual Events
The Musilac Festival brings rock and pop musicians to the lakeside each July, drawing 80,000 visitors as the largest music festival in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Other events include the Festival Aix Operettes in July, featuring light opera performances, and the Festival of Clairvoyance in August with psychic readings and spiritual workshops.
