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Vichy is, with only 28,000 inhabitants, the second largest town in the Allier department and it is renowned for several reasons. Firstly, Vichy is known all over the world for its thermal baths and cosmetic products. The town has several thermal baths and a lifestyle that is much appreciated by its visitors. Napoleon III was seduced by the town's charm and ordered the construction of an opera house - close to the conference centre – as well as hotels and luxurious villas on the banks of the Allier.
In this spa town you can enjoy shows, concerts, horse racing, water sports contests on the lake, and you can play golf or tennis in the idyllic surroundings of the park. Vichy offers you the further option of a leisurely stroll in the shade of its park or through the town’s shopping centre. The second reason for which Vichy is known is somewhat less positive. During WWII, the city of Vichy was the capital of the Vichy regime that collaborated with the German occupying forces. Vichy was chosen as a capital for its numerous hotels, which had all been deserted, and the excellent quality of its telephone connections. |
