Our history
La Roche-Posay,a medieval town
THE TOWN AND ITS ORIGINS
IN THE MIDDLE AGES
La Roche-Posay is situated in the Vienne department, to the north-east of Poitiers and to the east of Châtellerault. Its history goes back to the Middle Ages.
It is the first fortified town in the north of Poitou, and the medieval atmosphere will not leave you indifferent. The remains of this town are dated from the 12th and 13th centuries, and will delight history lovers. The 23 metre high dungeon is the most emblematic vestige of the fortified town. It is over 900 years old, and it still looks great and is often the scene of numerous festivities and events.
Some other of the town's fortifications have stood the test of time, such as the Porte Bourbon, which you can admire in the town centre.
The parish church of Notre-Dame is one of the oldest buildings in the town. Originally built in the Romanesque style, it was partly rebuilt in the 15th century in the Gothic style, and is quite distinctive for its pointed arches, ogee arches and ribbed vaults.
La Roche-Posay, a nature-rich town
LAND OF CONFLUENCE
La Roche-Posay is a confluence town where 3 rivers meet: the Anglin, the Gartempe and the Creuse. offering a rich and diverse natural heritage. Streams, rivers and paths punctuate the town's landscape and offer its visitors a leafy, restful and authentic setting. Wellbeing and relaxation are key words here, and you can recharge your batteries during a short stay or a spa treatment in La Roche-Posay.
The charm of this town has much to do with the warm and friendly residents, who make visitors feel welcome. It has all the useful amenities of a lively spa resort. Markets, cafés, outside terraces, restaurants, shops, a casino, a racecourse and numerous leisure activities. These convey a dynamic and attractive atmosphere to the town all year round.
La Roche-Posay, thermal town
1ST EUROPEAN SPA EXCLUSIVELY DEDICATED TO SKIN DISORDERS
Recognised as being of public interest in 1897 and having become the first European thermal spa to be exclusively dedicated to skin disorders, the dermatological mission of La Roche-Posay, which has existed for 5 centuries, is based on a unique and internationally recognised expertise and know-how.
La Roche-Posay is an essential spa town. The thermal springs within its territory bolstered its economic development in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The expansion of the town and the embellishment works that were done at the time, have made it a place full of varied heritage, and distinguished by its thermal activity. The Connétable thermal baths opened in 1932.
In the 1930s, in between the two wars, many figures from the artistic and intellectual world liked to "take the waters", and enjoy the calm and elegance of this privileged natural town. Some took advantage of this to write or to advance their work. The rich American, Florence Gould, André Gide, Jean Cocteau, Jean Marais and Sacha Guitry all stayed here.
It was in 1945 that the resort took on the size it has today. Since the cure was already covered then, by the Social Security, people from all over France and Europe, made their way to La Roche-Posay to treat their skin.
Today, La Roche-Posay is Europe's leading spa for skin diseases and welcomes around 7500 people per year.
La Roche-Posay thermal water: a true marvel of nature with proven therapeutic properties.
LA ROCHE-POSAY THERMAL SPRING WATER
DECLARED TO BE OF PUBLIC INTEREST!
By decree of the Council of State of the 3rd of August 2018, the thermal resource of La Roche-Posay has been declared of public interest. The protection of this precious resource now has a regulatory framework that ensures its durability and the safeguarding of its therapeutic virtues.