Concerns are mounting over the future of Plombières-les-Bains thermal baths as a court decision looms, with the facility currently under judicial recovery. Local residents fear that the baths’ closure would devastate the economy of the small town, where only a few shops remain open. Despite hopes for a new management approach, skepticism persists about the current management’s effectiveness. The community grapples with the psychological impact of uncertainty, as the once-thriving spa destination struggles to regain its appeal.
Concerns Over the Future of Plombières-les-Bains Thermal Baths
In the historic spa town of Plombières-les-Bains nestled in the Vosges region, the future of the thermal baths hangs in the balance, causing unease among residents and local business owners. A recent hearing at the commercial court in Bobigny has raised significant concerns about the fate of these cherished baths, managed by the struggling company, Avec. The court’s decision on their future is expected on January 29.
The thermal baths are currently under judicial recovery, with the possibility of a judicial liquidation looming. The elegant Second Empire-style building, which operated through the last thermal season until December, now faces an uncertain future, as no reservations have been made for the upcoming year.
The Economic Implications of Bath Closure
In this small town of 1,600 inhabitants, only a handful of shops remain open on this rainy January day. Residents express a unanimous sentiment: the closure of the baths would spell disaster for the local economy. Mayor Lydie Barbaux emphasizes the critical role that thermal activity plays in the town’s identity and economy, noting its historical roots with hot springs discovered by the Romans.
While reminiscing about the past, a local retiree recalls the bustling days when soldiers would visit for treatment, leading to a vibrant community filled with cafes and fully booked hotels. Unfortunately, many hotels now stand closed, and the situation has worsened since the judicial liquidation of the New Napoleon Residences, part of the Avec group. This closure has left numerous employees without jobs and has impacted the Grand Hotel and its adjacent restaurant.
There is hope, however, that the baths can be saved through the establishment of a Mixed Economy Company (SEM), where local authorities would invest alongside Avec. Yet, the community is hesitant about the continued involvement of the Avec group, as expressed by Guy Laurent from the “Action for Plombières” collective, which advocates for a new management approach to preserve the baths.
Despite claims from Bernard Bensaïd, the president of the group, that he has invested 13 million euros over the past 13 years, Mayor Barbaux raises concerns about the visible state of the facilities, noting that rent payments for the thermal waters have not been made for two years. The closure of the Calodaé balneo-Roman center in 2020 further exacerbated the situation.
The mayor highlights the psychological toll the uncertainty has taken on the community, describing a “collective depression” during the pandemic when the baths were forced to close. With the capacity of treatments significantly reduced, there is a palpable fear among residents about a future devoid of thermal activity.
Once a leading spa destination in the Vosges, Plombières still attracted around 4,000 spa-goers annually in the 2010s. However, the treatments have struggled to regain their former popularity, with skepticism from parts of the medical community about the efficacy of such therapies. Nevertheless, Mayor Barbaux remains hopeful, urging the community to envision a brighter future amidst the challenges.