Things To Do in Evian-les-Bains

The clear, cold waters at Évian, legendary for their health and beauty benefits, used to be the sole privilege of a clientele that possessed both the time and the money to appreciate them. Some of this hydro-grandeur is still to be found at the Évian Resort’s hotels. Both Hôtel Royal, bd. de Royal (www.evianresort.com; tel. 04-50-26-50-50), and Hôtel Ermitage, av. du Léman, maintain private spa facilities, open only to well-heeled guests, offering the most expensive packages and are adept at pampering patrons’ bodies, souls, and egos.

More reasonably priced are the spa facilities at Les Thermes Evian, pl. de la Libération (www.lesthermesevian.com; tel. 04-50-75-02-30). This public spa is adjacent to Débarcadère (the dock), just uphill from the edge of the lake. The hotel spas are more likely to emphasize beauty regimes and stress therapies; the public facility offers a broader range of services, including tanning, massage, and skin and beauty care, plus a well-equipped gym but no facilities for overnight guests.

You can indulge yourself with a daylong thermale, which provides access to exercise rooms and classes, saunas, steam baths, water from the Évian springs, and two massage sessions. Basic packages include a day in the pool, sauna and fitness center for €30 or just a day in the sauna and steam room for €12. You can also buy massage, health, and beauty regimes. The spa is open Monday to Saturday, usually from 9am to 7pm.

In the town center on the south bank of Lake Geneva is the Casino Royal Evian, domaine du Royal Club Evian (tel. 04-50-26-87-87; www.casino-evian.fr). It's popular with the Swiss from across the lake. It offers blackjack, baccarat, and roulette and has more than 250 slot, roller, and video-poker machines. Jackets for men are preferred. The Jackpot Restaurant and Bar is open until the casino closes. Hours Monday to Friday are 10am to 2am (until 3am Sat-Sun).