Randonnée - les fontaines du ban d'ajol

Built between 1761 and 1762 by Stanislas Leszcynski, the last Duke of Lorraine, the Palais Royal de Plombières-les-Bains was used to welcome his granddaughters Adélaïde and Victoire, daughters of Louis XV. Listed as a historic monument, its façade, grand staircase, banister and the gate at the Source du Crucifix are masterpieces. The ironwork, created by André Gillot, a pupil of Jean Lamour (creator of the gates at Place Stanislas in Nancy), is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship. The coat of arms of Stanislas proudly adorns the façade. Now known as the Maison aux Arcades, the building was the setting for the TV series Les Combattantes.

Located on the ground floor of the building known as the ‘Maison des Arcades ou Palais Royal’, in the rue Stanislas, the grille of the Crucifix spring is a listed historic monument. Designed by André Gillot, a pupil of Jean Lamour, who also created the railings on Place Stanislas in Nancy, it protects the fountain that was once used to supply the ‘oak’ bath, which has now disappeared. Used for drinking from 1614, the fountain is no longer used today. Every year, on Ascension Day, a ceremony known as ‘the blessing of the baths’ brings together the townsfolk: the priest walks from the church to the Fontaine du Crucifix, then to the Place du Bain Romain, to bless these beneficial waters.

he statue of the Virgin Mary, erected in Plombières on 15 August 1855, symbolises the protection of the town, which was spared the cholera epidemics of 1831 and 1874. Legend has it that the town's prayers were answered. Every 15 August, the town lights up with a thousand fires and pilgrims, torches in hand, pay homage to the statue. Modelled by Lyon sculptor Fabish, it is a replica of the statue at Fourvière and stands 2.13 metres tall in cast iron. Since its installation, every 15 August, a procession has taken place in Leadières, torches in hand.

The Place des Bains Romains is a reminder of the origins of Plombières. According to legend, a Roman garrison discovered the thermal waters after their dog, soaked and smoking, pointed out the hot spring. This was the beginning of the town's foundation. Today, a number of Roman installations are still in use, including the water diversion system, the pools and a bronze tap.

Inaugurated for the Assumption in 1860 and consecrated three years later, Saint-Amé church is dedicated to Saint Amé de Remiremont, founder of Saint-Mont, and to Saint Blaise. The interior was refurbished in 1905 to showcase its rich heritage. The first church, a chapel built at the end of the 14th century, was the parish church for three centuries. In 1729, a second church, too small, was built. In 1858, major work began by Léon-Charles Grillot, then revised by Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, with funding from Napoleon III. Completed in 1863, the church is neo-Gothic in style, with a 61-metre spire topped by an imperial crown. Its furnishings, including a romantic organ dating from 1883 and a 15th-century Virgin and Bird, have been listed as Historic Monuments since 1995.

Plombières-les-Bains is nicknamed the ‘town of 1,000 balconies’, but ‘Joséphine's balcony’, at no. 4 rue Stanislas, is without doubt the most emblematic. Joséphine de Beauharnais, wife of the Emperor Napoleon I, stayed in this house during her cures. One day, while she was entertaining three friends, they heard a noise in the street and rushed to the balcony out of curiosity. Unfortunately, the balcony gave way under their weight. Joséphine was bruised in the fall and received treatment for her pain.

Rue Stanislas, as we know it today, has not always had this elegant appearance. In the 18th century, after the Sainte-Anne flood that inundated the town, a new town planning scheme was put in place to redefine the town. From 1860 onwards, houses were aligned and balconies decorated with fleurs-de-lis, curves and arabesques were built. These balconies, which make it possible to see while being seen, quickly became the symbol of Plombières-les-Bains, nicknamed "the town of 1,000 balconies". This architectural transformation left its mark on the town's history, and today gives rue Stanislas its unique character and inimitable charm.