French spa resorts had their heyday from to During this era, the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie would flock to the spa towns. On the pretext of maintaining their health, this clientele was in fact mainly in search of hedonism, idleness and frivolity.
There were two reasons for this. One was the expansion in bourgeois morality, and the other was the uncertain future at the turn of the 20 th century the advancing tide of modernity, presages of the 1st World War, etc. These pleasure resorts in Bath, Tunbridge Wells and Epsom, among others were sought out by those openly looking for wellbeing, leisure activities and an excuse to simply do nothing.
Idleness was flaunted because it had made the place the success it was. The medical pretext, that is, the therapy, was an aggravating factor, and was no longer even advanced by a certain section of this society.
They did not fear or no longer feared the public exposure of their type of idle lifestyle, which was focused on a collective quest for individual wellbeing. The English model was very quickly exported to the continent, and spa resorts became essential stop-off points on the tours of the British and European elites.
On the pretext of maintaining their health, most were actually in search of hedonism, idleness and frivolity Gerbod, ; Boyer, ; Venayre, The reason why this wealthy clientele so readily flocked to the spa towns during the summer seasons was because they were prompted to do so by their contemporary context.
