The springs of Evian were still rather unknown at the time of the French Revolution. But the First Empire's interest for spa towns inspired a scientist to analyze the Evian springs in 1807 and 1808: Evian mineral waters revealed astonishing curative qualities and the waters began to be used for medicinal purposes. A lakeside port and a new road (RN5) connecting the town to Milan and Paris were constructed in 1809. In 1823, Genevan entrepreneur M. Falconnet launched the Évian mineral water company (Société des Eaux Minérales d'Évian) and purchased the cities' two main springs (the most famous being the Cachat spring named after the family that sold it) in March 1827. M. Fauconnet's company eventually went bankrupt, and the springs were bought by the Hôtel des Bains. In the following years, many hotels (Hôtel des quatre saisons, Hôtel de France, Hôtel des Alpes) were built, turning the town into a popular holiday resort.
The Golden Age of the Belle epoque and the Roaring Twenties
The Cachat mineral waters SA (Société Anonyme des Eaux Minérales de Cachat) was created in December 1859 by Parisian investors, selling Évian water, and in 1865 the small town changed its name to Évian-les-bains to promote its rise as a spa town. Three other 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
