Day 30 - September 17, 2026

A Relaxing Spa Day and a Comfortable New Home

After several days of sightseeing and driving, today became a welcome wellness day.

Our morning was spent at Les Iléades Spa in Montrond-les-Bains, and it turned out to be one of the nicest thermal experiences of the trip. We stayed for about 2½ hours, enjoying the pleasantly warm pools, hydrotherapy jets, bubbling loungers, massage stations, and the overall thoughtful design of the spa. Compared with the thermal facilities in Vichy, Iléades felt more modern, more spacious, and simply more enjoyable. The water temperature was perfect—not too hot—and the variety of water features made it easy to spend several relaxing hours without ever feeling bored. It was exactly the kind of restorative day we both needed.

By the time we left, however, we had completely missed the lunch service. Like so many small French towns, nearly everything had closed for the afternoon. Fortunately, in nearby Saint-Galmier we stumbled upon a wonderful local boulangerie-pâtisserie in the historic center. Sometimes these unplanned discoveries become the most memorable ones. We enjoyed a fresh salad with eggs, blue cheese, tomatoes, and ham, along with a delicious quiche. Afterwards we shared a pastry over coffee—a simple but thoroughly satisfying French lunch.

We spent some time strolling through the quiet streets of Saint-Galmier. There were no major sights on today’s agenda, but that was perfectly fine. The peaceful atmosphere suited the relaxed pace of the day.

Later in the afternoon we checked into Domaine de la Charpinière, our home for the next part of the journey. My first impression was immediately positive. The room is spacious and comfortable, the Wi-Fi works well, and everything feels easy and convenient. It’s an interesting contrast to last night’s stay at Château de Saint-Bonnet-les-Oules. The château itself was a magical experience—sleeping in a real French castle, wandering through its grand salons, library, and magnificent spiral staircase was unforgettable. But as charming as it was, hauling suitcases up the spiral staircase wasn’t exactly practical, the breakfast was fairly underwhelming, and the Wi-Fi simply didn’t work. Domaine de la Charpinière lacks the theatrical grandeur of a château, but it excels at the comforts that make travel easy.

For dinner we happily returned to the same restaurant where we had eaten yesterday. Since the meal had been so memorable, repeating it felt like the right decision. We again shared the excellent foie gras to start. This time I ordered the lobster skewers, served with risotto. The lobster itself was delicious, although I ate very little of the accompanying risotto. My friend chose the same duck with blue cheese sauce that she had enjoyed the previous evening, accompanied by a glass of red wine. I sampled a little of her duck as well—it was every bit as good as I remembered. I paired my meal with another glass of the aromatic white wine that ChatGPT had recommended yesterday, and it once again proved to be an excellent match.

It wasn’t a day filled with famous landmarks or museums, but it reminded me that some of the most enjoyable travel days are the quieter ones—good food, a wonderful spa, comfortable accommodations, and the simple pleasure of slowing down and appreciating where you are.