THE GALLO-ROMAN ERA
The Gallo-Romans discovered the therapeutic virtues of taking the waters, and attributed them to their gods: Borvo (god of hot waters) and his wife the goddess Damona. Borvo, which means "to boil", gave his name to the spa resort of Bourbonne-les-Bains. Adding to the Gauls’ modest wooden spa buildings, the Romans captured and channelled the waters to construct a well. Roman spa visitors came to throw their votive offerings into the well in gratitude for the virtues of the waters. The resort flourished, and even became luxurious...

FITNESS AND SPA TREATMENTS
The spa resort of Bourbonne-les-Bains is located at the source of the Meuse, on the edge of the regions of Lorraine, Franche-Comté and Burgundy, in an exceptionally well-preserved natural environment. Every year, from March to November, over 12,000 visitors come to the spa to benefit from the therapeutic virtues of the hot waters, rich in calcium, magnesium and sodium and in oligoelements that are close in composition to human serum. The waters acquire their properties by passing through the various rocky layers from up to 2000 metres in depth before emerging at 66°C. The waters of Bourbonne-les-Bains are beneficial for rheumatism, arthrosis, osteoporosis, bone fractures, bone decalcification and ENT disorders as part of a medical spa cure lasting three weeks. Clinical scientific research into the Bourbonne-les-Bains spa cure, carried out by the Nancy university hospital in 1998, proved that the thermal waters improve quality of life, reduce pain and increase bone formation. Local applications of mud are made using clay ground with spa water: they increase the properties of the spa water via cutaneous exchange and reduce muscle contraction. Bathing has a relaxing effect. The hydromassage bath is particularly appreciated by spa users: 20 minutes of the whole body being swept with greater or lesser water pressure. The jet shower has a tonic and stimulating effect. The hammam or emanatorium, directly above the Roman well, collects rare gases and thermal vapours, which are directly absorbed into the lungs. ENT treatments include aerosols, inhalations, sprays and gargles.

Office de Tourisme de Bourbonne-Les-Bains
Place des Bains - BP 34
52400 BOURBONNE LES BAINS
Tél : 03.25.90.01.71
E- Mail : bourbonne.les.bains@wanadoo.fr
Internet : www.bourbonne.com/otsi