Festival de l'Eau

Festival de l'Eau: The Thermal Water Festival in Haute-Marne

Since 2015, the Festival de l'Eau has celebrated the exceptional aquatic heritage of Bourbonne-les-Bains every summer, a millennial spa town nestled in the south of Haute-Marne. Known since Roman antiquity for its hot springs naturally gushing at 66°C, the town pays homage to this founding element through a popular and free festival combining performing arts, fun activities, and heritage enhancement.

A Spectacular Program Around Water and Fire

The festival offers a rich and varied program that unfolds over three days in the streets and squares of the spa town. The event is distinguished by its grandiose aquatic shows, notably the show "Les Danses de l'Eau" by the company Atlantid, featuring musical, luminous, and dancing fountains in a magical aquatic ballet.

Daytime Shows and Activities

During the day, the festival offers a program rich in discoveries and entertainment:

• Water games and inflatable structures for the enjoyment of young and old
• Artistic parades in the town's streets, with specialized street performance companies
• Exhibitions highlighting the thermal heritage and the history of water in Bourbonne
• Tastings of local products from Haute-Marne and local crafts
• Festive concerts in the open air on the town squares

Magical Evenings

As night falls, the festival takes on a spectacular dimension with:

• Video mapping on the facades of the town's historical heritage
• Illuminations of the thermal and architectural heritage
• Fire shows with fire-eaters and pyrotechnics
• Nighttime aquatic shows combining water, light, music, and flames

A Festival Rooted in Thermal Identity

The Festival de l'Eau is fully integrated into the identity of Bourbonne-les-Bains, whose thermal baths have been in operation since the Gallo-Roman era. The town, which welcomes thousands of spa-goers each year to enjoy the benefits of its natural hot springs, finds in this festival an original way to enhance its thermal heritage and introduce its riches to a wider audience.

A Unifying Event for the Region

Supported by the municipality and the Bourbonne-les-Bains Tourist Office, the festival brings together residents, spa-goers, and visitors in a friendly and festive atmosphere. Entirely free, it contributes to the tourist and cultural influence of the spa town and the south of Haute-Marne, offering a summer highlight that complements the destination's thermal and heritage offerings.