Évian-les-Bains or Évian is commune in the northern part of the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. An elite holiday resort and spa town on the shores of Lake Geneva (aka Lac Léman), for two centuries, it has hosted many Royals such as Kings Edward VII and George V of England and King Farouk of Egypt, and celebrities such as countess Anna de Noailles and Marcel Proust.
The Cachat mineral waters SA (Société Anonyme des Eaux Minérales de Cachat) was created in December 1859 by Parisian investors, selling Evian water, and in 1865 the small town changed its name to Evian-les-bains to promote its rise as a spa town. Three others springs joined the Cachat (Guillot, Bonnevie, Corporau) and further studies bore out the curative characteristics of the water. Improvement in transportation (a railroad station) helped the town to become a renowned spa.
In the late 19th century, the city contained more than 20 hotels. The hills and the lakeshore were covered with noble houses and luxurious villas and a theatre and a casino were built on the lakeside. In 1902, the baths were constructed and in 1909, famous architect Hébrard built one of the most luxurious hotels ever built: the Royal Hotel. Evian is therefore confirmed as one of the top European spas, popular with notable high society figures such as Countess Anna de Noailles, Frédéric Mistral, the Lumières or Marcel Proust.
The town is home of Évian mineral water, which makes up the foundation of the economy together with the Casino d’Evian, the largest themed casino in Europe, and the Evian Royal Resort, favorite holiday destination of former French President François Mitterrand and King Farouk of Egypt. Many of the inhabitants of Évian work in Lausanne and other Swiss cities nearby. The two largest hotels in Évian are the Hotel Royal (where the G8 summit was held) and the Hilton.
