Vichy has honoured Bath, its partner spa town, to mark the fifth anniversary of both cities’ UNESCO nomination for their outstanding spa culture and thermal waters in July 2021. The celebration included a full weekend of events celebrating Bath and its cultural heritage.

The Mayor of Vichy and his team put together a full weekend of events celebrating Bath and its cultural heritage. Highlights included a performance by a local orchestra for gathered guests, a light-hearted presentation of Bath’s Roman and Georgian history from the Natural Theatre Company, and a workshop and procession led by the Jane Austen dancers.

The Bath Business Improvement District (BID) took part in the celebrations, with CEO Allison Herbert presenting a short history of Bath, accompanied by an illustrative film, at the invitation of the Vichy team. Allison also seized the opportunity to use her French language skills to give the presentation.

“It is a huge honour to be here as part of the Bath delegation,” said Allison Herbert, CEO of Bath BID. “Taking the time to share and understand what we have in common, our hopes, our fears, our challenges and our potential solutions. It feels like a great way to connect with other places, and I am very grateful to the town of Vichy for their hospitality.”

Flags and bunting flew across Vichy, along with a photographic exhibition on display in the Parc de Sources, where visitors could also sample Bath's famous waters.

Flags flying off a bridge over a river in Vichy and an exhibition image of Bath Abbey