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Vichy's parks, from the Allier to the Sources

Published 28 October 2026

Vichy owes much of its charm to its parks. They were designed for spa guests to stroll in and can still be explored on foot, from one end of town to the other.

The Parc des Sources, the heart of the spa town

Created in 1812 by decree of Napoleon I, it links the Hall des Sources, the Opera and the Thermes. Its covered galleries, around 700 metres long, let you walk under shelter in all weathers.

After nearly three years of works, the restoration was completed in June 2026. The park now has 758 trees, a rose garden of more than 550 rose bushes and a fountain with 71 jets. It has been smoke-free since July 2025, except on café terraces.

The Allier parks: Napoléon III and Kennedy

Commissioned by Napoleon III during his stays between 1861 and 1866, these English-style parks form a crescent of around 130 hectares along the Allier. The road to the Bellerive bridge cuts them in two.

• The Parc Napoléon III, downstream of the bridge: cedars and sequoias over a hundred years old, a bandstand and play areas. The emperor's chalets line boulevard des États-Unis.
• The Parc Kennedy, upstream: 337 trees, including ginkgos, Chinese magnolias and Atlas cedars, a play area and the Célestins beach.

Access is free of charge, every day.

Beyond the centre

The circuit of the Lac d'Allier (6 km) extends the walk. Further south, the Parc des Bourins continues the Allier parks along avenue de France, as far as the rowing club.

Stay near the parks

Our apartments in the spa quarter are a few minutes from the Parc des Sources and the Allier parks. Those in the Quartier de France offer the peace of Old Vichy, close to the banks of the Allier.