Saint-Gervais carries its waters in its very name. In Le Fayet, at the far end of a ten-hectare wooded park, thermal water rises at 39 °C and has been used since 1806. Today people come for a medical cure, for three hours of spa time between indoor and outdoor pools, or simply to warm up after a day on the slopes.
The thermal baths are not the only address. Higher up in the commune, on the Mont d’Arbois and in Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce, two hotels open their spas to visitors, and the village pool has its own relaxation area. Here is what to know before you go.
Les Bains du Mont-Blanc, the thermal spa in Le Fayet
Opened in 2010 within the Thermes de Saint-Gervais, Les Bains du Mont-Blanc is the resort’s thermal spa. It nestles in the heart of the Bonnant gorge, in the Le Fayet thermal park, and is open all year round, apart from technical closures.
Parc thermal, 355 allée du Docteur Lépinay, 74170 Le Fayet
https://thermes-saint-gervais.com
A journey that follows the water
The spa tells the story of the thermal water’s journey, from the glaciers down into the depths of the earth. On the ground floor, the spaces are deliberately dark: experience corridors between ice and heat mist, immersive alcoves, flotation and stimulation pools.
Outside, four pools at different temperatures sit at the bottom of the gorge, surrounded by nature. They stay open in all weathers and are only cleared during thunderstorms: bathing in hot water while the snow falls is part of the experience.
Upstairs, the circuit evokes a mountain walk: a salt cave, an alpine garden, a sauna styled as a mountain refuge, seasonal alcoves and a contemplative area opening onto the mountains. Since 2021, the Forest in the Rain area has added mist, reclining showers, warm rain, thermal water cascades, a hot-and-cold Kneipp path and a wooden sauna.
Opening hours and closures
Les Bains du Mont-Blanc is closed on Tuesdays. On other days it opens at 9 am or 10 am and closes between 7 pm and 9 pm depending on the day, with late openings until 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. An autumn closure is announced from 16 to 29 November inclusive.
Opening hours may change from one season to the next: check them on the Thermes website before you go.
Ages and booking
Booking is compulsory to secure your time slot, and proof of age is requested at the entrance.
- Adults and teenagers from 13: 3-hour session, younger guests accompanied by an adult.
- Children aged 3 to 12: 2-hour family session with an adult, on Sunday mornings outside school holidays, and on Monday and Saturday mornings during the holidays.
- Babies aged 6 months to 2 years: 60-minute baby-and-parent session, guided by the lifeguards, on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 9 am.
You cannot come in the same time slot with a child under 3 and a child over 3.
Prices
The official website shows “from” prices, which vary with the date chosen:
- 3-hour adult session: from €49;
- 1.5-hour Happy Hour, offered depending on attendance: from €35;
- family session: from €17 per child;
- baby session: from €10 per baby.
For skiers, the Saint-Gervais ski area also offers a Ski & Spa pass, combining 4 hours of skiing on the Évasion Mont-Blanc area with 3 hours at the thermal spa on the same day.
What to bring
- A classic swimsuit: swim shorts above the knee for men, a swimsuit without sleeves or legs for women. Long swimsuits are not allowed. Swimsuits are sold at reception.
- Non-slip plastic sandals, compulsory (sold at reception).
- A towel for the changing rooms: a bathrobe is provided on site.
- Leave your jewellery in your locker: anything that is not yellow gold may oxidise in the thermal water. Personal belongings are not allowed in the spa.
There is no restaurant in the thermal baths, but there is a herbal tea room. From May to October, the Club House in the thermal park serves food.
The Thermes de Saint-Gervais and thermal cures
Thermal water used since 1806
In 1806, the notary Joseph-Marie Gontard quietly had the hot, sulphurous water analysed, the water that kept the grass green around the spring. He bought the land and opened a small establishment in 1807. In 1815, Dr Mattey, the medical inspector, was the first to prove scientifically the water’s effects on skin diseases.
The history of the baths also has its tragedies: in 1892, a water pocket in the Tête-Rousse glacier burst and the resulting torrent of mud almost entirely destroyed the establishment. New baths were rebuilt one kilometre from the old ones.
According to the Thermes, rain falling on the summits takes 6,500 years to emerge at the spring, which is tapped 101 metres underground. Carrying around 4,000 mg of minerals per litre (sulphur, boron, silicon, lithium…), the water has been recognised by the French Academy of Medicine since 1996.
Medical cures
The Thermes de Saint-Gervais welcome patients on medical prescription, mainly for:
- dermatology: eczema, psoriasis, scars, burns and other skin conditions;
- respiratory and ENT conditions: asthma, allergies, ear infections, chronic bronchitis and sinusitis;
- conditions of the oral mucosa, with the option of a dual treatment.
A state-approved cure lasts 18 consecutive days of treatment and may be covered by French health insurance. Without a prescription, mini-cures last 5 to 10 days, paid for by the patient.
In 2026, dermatology cures run from 2 February to 21 November; respiratory cures take place from April to October. Children are welcome from 3 months old in dermatology and from 3 years old for respiratory cures.
The treatment institute
In the same building as the spa, the institute offers massages and facials with thermal water, reserved for adults. It is closed on Tuesdays and open from 10 am to 7 pm on other days. In high season, the Thermes recommend booking a treatment at least 15 days in advance.
Other spas in the commune of Saint-Gervais
The Armancette spa in Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce
In the hilltop village of Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce, the L’Armancette hotel has opened its spa onto the Dômes de Miage. A heated indoor-outdoor pool, an indoor infinity Jacuzzi, two outdoor Jacuzzis, a sauna, a steam room, a solarium terrace and two treatment rooms using KOS Paris products.
Outside visitors can book a 4-hour spa entry, from 10 am to 2 pm, at €60 per person, with bathrobe, sandals and towel provided. Treatments can be booked every day from 10 am to 8 pm; for one hour of treatment, the hotel offers one hour of spa access to non-residents.
L’Armancette, 4088 route de Saint-Nicolas, 74170 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
https://almae-collection.com/armancette/en/spa/
The Refuge Chez la Tante spa on the Mont d’Arbois
At 1,850 metres, on the slopes of the Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area, the Refuge Chez la Tante houses a small high-altitude spa: a heated indoor pool, a sauna, a steam room and a treatment room using Susanne Kaufmann products.
The spa is open daily, with treatments from 10 am to 6 pm by appointment. Outside visitors have access with an “Experience” package or by booking a treatment of at least 50 minutes, only during ski lift operating hours, since the refuge can only be reached by gondola or on skis.
4284 route des Crêtes, 74170 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains · Évasion Mont-Blanc ski area
https://www.refugechezlatante.com
The Saint-Gervais swimming pool and its relaxation area
In the village, the municipal swimming pool has a 25-metre lap pool, a leisure pool with a paddling area and, in summer only, a 17 × 10-metre outdoor pool with a slide. Its relaxation area brings together saunas, a steam room and a solarium.
It is the simplest option for a sauna session: in 2026, entry to the pool and relaxation area costs €11 (adults only), and pool-only entry €5.50. The pool closes occasionally for maintenance: check the opening hours on the tourist office website.
798 avenue de Miage, 74170 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
Our tips for unwinding in Saint-Gervais
- After skiing: late afternoon is the perfect time for the hot pools. Remember to book, as these are also the most popular slots. To plan your days on the slopes, see our guide to skiing in Saint-Gervais.
- In bad weather: the thermal spa remains one of the best options in the commune. More ideas in what to do in Saint-Gervais.
- To walk to the thermal baths: from the village, the Thermes lift takes you down to the thermal park free of charge in 5 minutes. By car, the baths have a large free car park.
- In your bag: swimsuit, sandals, a towel for the changing rooms and a bottle of water. Stay well hydrated between pools and sauna sessions.
- To round off the day: in Le Fayet, a short walk from the thermal park, find our favourite places in where to eat in Saint-Gervais.
And a few minutes from Saint-Gervais
Megève is around twenty minutes away by car, with a wide choice of hotel spas. Our pick: spas in Megève, the best addresses.
FAQ – Spas and thermal baths in Saint-Gervais
Do you need to book Les Bains du Mont-Blanc?
Yes, booking is compulsory. It is done on the Thermes de Saint-Gervais website and secures your time slot.
From what age can you go to Les Bains du Mont-Blanc?
Standard sessions are open from age 13, accompanied by an adult. Children aged 3 to 12 have dedicated family sessions, and babies aged 6 months to 2 years have baby-and-parent sessions at weekends.
Is the thermal spa open all year round?
Yes, apart from technical closures. It is closed on Tuesdays, and an autumn closure is announced from 16 to 29 November.
Can you take a thermal cure in Saint-Gervais without a prescription?
A state-approved 18-day cure requires a medical prescription. Without one, the Thermes offer mini-cures of 5 to 10 days, which are not reimbursed.
Are there other spas open to visitors in Saint-Gervais?
Yes. The L’Armancette spa in Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce offers a 4-hour entry at €60. The Refuge Chez la Tante spa on the Mont d’Arbois is accessible with a package or a treatment of at least 50 minutes. The municipal pool also has saunas and a steam room.
Staying in Saint-Gervais
Our chalets and apartments in Saint-Gervais put the village, the thermal park and the ski lifts within a few minutes’ reach. Discover our properties in Saint-Gervais, or browse our Saint-Gervais page. During your stay, our concierge service is there for you.
Sources
- Les Bains du Mont-Blanc, circuit, outdoor pools, ages, session lengths, “from” prices, what to bring, herbal tea room and Club House: thermes-saint-gervais.com (thermal spa and FAQ pages)
- Thermal spa and treatment institute opening hours, autumn closure, 2026 cure dates: thermes-saint-gervais.com (opening hours page)
- History of the baths (1806, 1807, 1815, 1892, 2010, 2021): thermes-saint-gervais.com (history page)
- Thermal water (39 °C, 6,500 years, tapped at 101 m, mineral content, French Academy of Medicine since 1996): thermes-saint-gervais.com (thermal water page)
- Cure specialities, length of state-approved cures and mini-cures, 10-hectare park, Thermes lift: thermes-saint-gervais.com (thermal cures and FAQ pages)
- Ski & Spa pass: ski-saintgervais.com
- L’Armancette spa, facilities, opening hours, spa entry and access for outside visitors: almae-collection.com
- Refuge Chez la Tante spa, altitude, facilities and access conditions: refugechezlatante.com
- Saint-Gervais swimming pool, pools, relaxation area, address and 2026 prices: saintgervais.com (tourist office)
