Fête des Thermes de Forges-les-Bains

The Fête des Thermes: a thirty-year-old summer tradition in Forges-les-Bains

In the heart of the Rambouillet forest, at the gates of Île-de-France, the town of Forges-les-Bains is known for its reputed healing waters and its thermal center. It is in this green and peaceful setting that the town organizes its Fête des Thermes every summer, an event born in 1995 that has become over the years an unmissable popular gathering of the Essonne summer.

Born in 1995, a well-established tradition

The first edition of the festival took place on September 1, 1995, in the form of a simple festive weekend with fireworks. It was from September 21, 2002, that the event took its definitive name of Fête des Thermes, becoming part of the town's thermal identity. Since then, the festival has stabilized in June, the ideal season for an outdoor summer celebration in the natural setting of the thermal park.

The enchanting setting of the Parc des Thermes

The Fête des Thermes takes place in the heart of the Parc des Thermes de Forges-les-Bains, an exceptional green space in the heart of the village. This park, with its pond whose shimmering reflections provide the ideal backdrop for evening entertainment, offers a natural and romantic setting found nowhere else. The century-old trees, the shaded paths, and the tranquility of the place contrast pleasantly with the liveliness of the festival.

The program: from dusk till night

The Fête des Thermes is mainly an evening celebration, organized in the evening to make the most of the natural setting. The day allows families to stroll through the park, enjoy the sports facilities, and taste the products offered by local restaurateurs.

As dusk falls, the magic happens: a torchlight procession circles the pond, creating a poetic visual spectacle with the reflection of the flames on the calm water. Participants, torches in hand, form a luminous procession that illuminates the banks and creates an almost magical atmosphere. This procession is one of the most emblematic moments of the festival, the one that leaves the most vivid memory.

The dancing party, led by a DJ, then draws festival-goers to the improvised dance floor in the park, playing popular hits to get young and old dancing. The festive and relaxed atmosphere allows everyone to express themselves freely and enjoy this night of celebration.

As a grand finale, the fireworks conclude the festivities in a spectacular show: multicolored lights rise into the sky of the Rambouillet forest, reflect in the waters of the pond, and illuminate the thermal park with a final explosion of joy and color.

Forges-les-Bains: a village away from the hustle and bustle

Forges-les-Bains is one of those towns that have managed to preserve their natural and rural character despite urban pressure. A village of some 3,500 inhabitants, it offers a privileged living environment between forest, woods, and natural spaces. The town is renowned for the quality of its hiking trails, cycling paths, and walking routes. The Fête des Thermes naturally fits into this identity of a green and sporty town, offering a celebration that enhances the local natural heritage.