Relax and enjoy the warmest thermal waters in Switzerland at the day spa and hot springs mineral water swimming pools of Lavey in the Rhone Valley of Valais near Montreux and Lake Geneva.
Les Bains de Lavey is a day spa with large thermal water swimming pools and a range of saunas and steam baths in the Rhone Valley near Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Although most visitors simply enjoy the warm water, Jacuzzis, and jet streams, other typical day spa beauty treatments and massages are available in the private treatment rooms of the wellness center. The mineral-rich thermal springs have some claims to health benefits and are also used for medical treatments. The day spa is just off the main highway next to the Rhone River in the Valais making for very easy access from Lake Geneva cities such as Montreux and Lausanne, as well as the ski resorts in the Valais Alps. Lavey claims to have the warmest thermal waters of the hot spring spas in Switzerland.
- Children under 4 years old are not allowed into the complex at all.
Les Bains de Lavey Hot Springs Spa near Lake Geneva
The hot spring water source of Lavey was discovered in 1831 but attempts to draw the rich and famous of Europe failed in the face of competition, especially in Germany and other resorts in Switzerland. Even today, Lavey is often more of a hidden gem than other Valais resorts despite the very easy access from Lac Léman and Alpine ski resorts.
The thermal water of the baths at Lavey is sourced from two drillings. The older drilling from 1972 is 201 m deep and produces water at 62°C. The newer drilling from 1997 is 517 m deep and at 68°C the hottest thermal water sourced in Switzerland. Each drilling has a flow of 1,200 l/min.
The mineral-rich waters of Lavey are classified as “thermal water and chlorinated sodium sulfate, sulfur, Lithia, fluoride and boric containing metasilicic acid, and to a lesser extent, hydrocarbon-, calcium, with a slightly higher iodine content.” Its medical claims are for treating rheumatic musculoskeletal and dermatological problems.
Swimming Pools and Jacuzzis at Lavey Day Spa, Switzerland
The day spa complex at the Bains de Lavey has three main pools covering an area of 1,600 m2. The larger of the two outdoor pools has an area of just over 1,000 m2.
In addition to the three swimming pools, a further two large Jacuzzis (hot tub) are in the open air with views of the mountains. In the larger pools are a variety of jet streams, underwater currents, waterfalls, swan necks, bubble beds, and water massage jets. The indoor pool at times plays subaquatic sounds.
The temperatures in the pools range from 32 to 36°C. In summer, the temperature is allowed to drop to 28°C in the large pool.
Saunas and Steam Baths at Les Bains de Lavey
The day spa at Lavey has several relaxing saunas and hammams. The spa area facilities are included in the general admission but are open to over 16-year-olds only.
The Bains de Lavey has a variety of saunas in the Nordic Pavilion. The use of towels is compulsory, as are bathing costumes with the exception of the small naturist sauna, where going nude is compulsory. The saunas, including naked areas, are not gender-specific.
The oriental space has two mixed hammams (Turkish steam baths) and separate ones for each gender (bathing suits on). Temperatures range from 40 to 50°C with humidity between 80 and 100%. The fountains inside the hammams have drinking water.
The Rest Pavilion (Le Pavillon Sérénité) has quiet rooms with a fireplace in winter and further rooms with color therapy. These quiet spaces and relaxation area are also reserved for adults only.
Wellness Areas and Medical Treatments at Lavey Day Spa
Les Bains de Lavey offers the usual day-spa wellness packages such as beauty treatments, massages, and group classes for yoga, pilates, and aqua gym sessions. Treatment appointments usually require reservations at least a day in advance.
As with many other thermal bath resorts, Les Bains de Lavey also offers medical treatments and water cures. These include physiotherapy, ergotherapy, and hydrotherapy especially aimed at musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
Opening Hours and Admission Prices to Lavey Day Spa
The Bains de Lavey is open daily from 9 am to 9 pm, but usually closes at 10 pm on weekends and during the high winter season. The complex is closed on Christmas Day and usually the second half of June (for maintenance).
The best times for quiet visits are sunny summer days, weekday mornings, and early afternoons. The baths are busier on colder weekends and especially late afternoon and evening in winter when skiers visit for an après ski soak.
In contrast to many other hot bath resorts in Switzerland, basic admission prices at Lavey include entry into the baths and sauna areas.
Basic admission is CHF30 for 3 hours for adults and includes the use of pools, saunas, and steam rooms. Students pay CHF26 while the price for children 4 to 15 is CHF21. Children under 4 are not admitted. Overstays are charged at CHF5 per additional half-hour.
Special deals are season-dependent. Savings may be offered for shorter two-hour stays early morning or in the evenings, or 5 hours for the price of 3 during the quiet season.
Small discounts are given to families of three or more – maximum two adults.
No picnicking is allowed inside the complex. A casual restaurant serves small snacks and meals while the adjacent Grand Hotel des Bains serves fuller meals, or visit the nearby Le Chalet des Bains for more traditional Swiss fare such as raclette (and pizza) — easy walking distance behind the large parking area.
Guests of the Grand Hotel des Bains, the luxury hotel linked to Les Bains de Lavey, get unlimited admission to the thermal baths and pool.
Dress Code at the Lavey Day Spa near Lake Geneva
The clothing policy of each day spa in Europe varies. At Les Bains de Lavey the whole complex is clothes on (except the small naturists’ sauna).
Swimming shorts are permitted in the pools but may not cover the knee. Swimming suits should also not be too small – no g-strings or topless for women.
Swimming caps are allowed (and optional) but long hair must be bound tight. Other caps and shirts are not allowed inside the pools. Only bare feet are allowed once past the lockers.
Towels and bathrobes are sold in the shop (expensive) and are not available for rent.
Babies and young children under 4 are not allowed into the complex at all.
Transportation to Les Bains de Lavey Spa near Lake Geneva
Les Bains de Lavey is easily reached by car or train – it is the closest Valais Valley hot thermal water day spa to the Lake Geneva region. Lavey is near St Maurice in the Aigle district.
Driving is the easiest option to Les Bains de Lavey. The day spa of Lavey is in the valley near the Rhone River and A1 (E62) highway making it an easy stop en route to and from other Valais resorts without having to drive higher up into the mountains. Use the St Maurice exit, which is only around a kilometer from the spa on the opposite bank of the Rhone River. Ample free parking is available.
Driving times and distance to the Lavey thermal baths are around:
- Geneva Airport – 1h20 / 120 km
- Lausanne – 0h45 / 60 km
- Bern – 1h20 / 120
- Montreux – 0h25 / 30 km
If using public transportation, St Maurice is the closest train station to the Bains de Lavey. Interregio (IR) trains call here at least hourly on the run from Genève Airport to Brig, with further trains and buses providing connections to local towns.
Traveling times by IR trains to St Maurice are:
- 1h30 from Genève Airport
- 1h20 from Geneva
- 0h40 from Lausanne
- 0h23 from Montreux
- 0h10 from Martigny
- 0h24 from Sion
- 1h03 from Brig
St Maurice station is around a 2.5 km (30 minute) walk from the spa. A bus (192) is often coordinating with train arrivals. The bus stop Lavey-les-Bains Et Thermal is directly in front of the day spa entrance.
Hot water spring resorts and thermal pools are hugely popular in Switzerland with several in the Valais Valley area. Lavey-les-Bains is the closest of these resorts to Lake Geneva and offers easy access without having to go up high in the mountains, as is the case with for example beautiful Leukerbad.
Best Hot Water Spring Resort and Spas in the Lake Geneva Region
- The Best Hot Mineral Water Thermal Baths near Lake Geneva — mostly in Switzerland but also some in France
- Leukerbad — the best weekend getaway in the Alps. Fantastic thermal baths and many good hotel options.
- Les Bains de Lavey – Hottest Mineral Waters in Switzerland
- Aquaparc – Water Fun Park with Slides on Lake Geneva near Montreux
- Les Bains de la Gruyère in Fribourg – near medieval Gruyères and the Maison Cailler Chocolate Factory.
- Yverdon-les-Bains on Lake Neuchâtel