Luxeuil-les-Bains is a spa town with deep roots. Its hot springs were already known to the Celts and the Romans, and around 590 the Irish monk Saint Columbanus founded a monastery here that became one of the great religious centres of early medieval Europe. Today Luxeuil is a calm town of red sandstone houses at the foot of the Vosges.
Why visit Luxeuil-les-Bains
Come for wellness, heritage and nature: the thermal baths, the abbey, elegant mansions and the lakes and forests of the Vosges Saônoises.
Things to see in Luxeuil-les-Bains
The thermal baths
The thermes use the town’s hot springs for spa treatments and wellness stays.
The Abbey of Saint-Colomban and the Basilica of Saint-Pierre
The abbey founded by Saint Columbanus and the Basilica of Saint-Pierre, with its remarkable organ, are at the heart of the town’s history.
The old town
Admire the red sandstone mansions, such as the Maison du Cardinal Jouffroy and the Tour des Échevins, which houses a museum.
The Thousand Ponds plateau
North-east of Luxeuil, the Plateau des Mille Étangs is dotted with hundreds of ponds of glacial origin – superb for walking and cycling. It lies in the Ballons des Vosges regional nature park.
Best time to visit
May to October for walks and the Thousand Ponds; the spa is open much of the year.
Getting there
Vesoul is about 30 km away and Remiremont about 33 km. The nearest airports are EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse and Dijon. A car is the easiest way to explore the area.
What to eat
Luxeuil ham (smoked), Mont d’Or and Comté cheeses, cancoillotte and the cherry spirit of nearby Fougerolles, kirsch.
FAQ
What is Luxeuil-les-Bains known for?
Its thermal springs, its abbey founded by Saint Columbanus and its red sandstone houses.
Is it a good base for the Vosges?
Yes – the Thousand Ponds and the Ballons des Vosges are close by.
