Forges-les-Bains

Why is Forges-les-Bains called “les Bains?” Well, you see, the name “Forges” comes from the Latin word “fabrica”, which referred to workshops where skilled craftsmen, known as “faber” in Latin, worked with iron. This tells us that even in ancient times, this place was known for its ironworks. The right to add “les Bains,” meaning “the Baths,” was bestowed upon this charming village by none other than Napoleon III himself in 1861. It was a tribute to the healing waters that flow beneath Forges-les-Bains, waters that have been celebrated for centuries. Legend has it that the very birth of the Sun King, Louis XIV, after 23 years of royal marriage, might be attributed to these very waters. While on their way to visit their physician, Héroard, in Vaugrigneuse, King Louis XIII and Queen Anne of Austria would often stop at Forges-les-Bains to drink from its renowned springs. Although they also enjoyed the waters of Vaugrigneuse, it seems there was something special about the waters here in Forges-les-Bains. The true healing potential of these waters wouldn’t be fully realized until the 19th century. In 1832, a local doctor named Piton documented the miraculous recovery of two children suffering from scrofula, a tuberculous infection of the lymph nodes. The children, 12 and 8 years old, had endured countless unsuccessful treatments, their bodies riddled with swollen glands and bone infections. Their families, desperate for a cure, brought them to Forges-les-Bains, drawn by the promise of fresh air and the invigorating cold baths offered in the local waters. To their astonishment, the children’s conditions began to improve. Their appetites returned, their breathing eased, and their wounds miraculously started to heal. Word of these wondrous recoveries spread like wildfire, and Forges-les-Bains was soon on its way to becoming a renowned spa destination. By 1838, a man named Fromant had established a bathing facility capable of accommodating 40 paying patients, eager to experience the rejuvenating power of the Forges-les-Bains waters. This marked the beginning of a new era for this quaint village, forever linking its name to the healing power of its “Bains.”