Language Courses in Spa
Overview
The pretty Belgian town of Spa has given its name to everything related to thermal baths. The 19th century retro charm of times gone by goes hand-in-hand with the city’s more contemporary offerings: the Thermal Baths, the Casino, luxury hotels, and of course, the world famous motor racing track at Francorchamps, considered by drivers to be one of the most beautiful in the world.
Wallonia, in the French-speaking south of Belgium where Spa is located, is one of the three regions in the Federal State of Belgium (along with the Flemish and the Brussels Capital Regions.) It includes the Ardennes, a hilly and green area and a main tourism destination for nature-lovers. Eighty percent of the Belgian forests are located in Wallonia.
History of Spa
Spa treatments have existed in Belgium since the dark and Celtic ages. The region where Spa is located is renowned for the quality and diversity of its natural spring, which visitors who need a genuine and healthy break will very much appreciate.
In the first half of the 16th century, Spa became a famous health resort after Henry VIII championed the curative powers of the waters. Royalty, statesmen and aristocrats from all over Europe flocked to the town so much that by the 18th century, Spa became known as “The Café of Europe.”
Today, Spa is still famous for its waters, some of which are bottled and available in supermarkets, but also for its recently-built Thermes de Spa, an ultra-modern thermal centre located on the top of a hill directly overlooking the picturesque town.
A Few Interesting Facts About Spa
Spa was the birthplace of the world’s first-ever beauty pageant and legal casino.
Spa is where the first negotiations were held in 1918 that led to the Armistice and the end of World War I (some of the them were held in the CERAN chateaux).
Residents of Spa are called Bobelines. One who is well-known is Georges Krins, a violist on the Titanic who played as the ship was sinking.
The most famous Bobeline, however, is actually fictional: Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot.
Language Schools and Camps in this Destination
Spa and the Wallonia Region of Belgium
Things to Do and See During a Vacation Study
Les Thermes de Spa
Surrounded by greenery and overlooking the town, the modern Spa baths are a complete facility offering mineral water baths at 33° from the natural Clementine spring, steam baths, dry heat baths in the saunas, water games in the 800m² of indoor and outdoor pools, aquagym sessions, relaxation areas, aromatherapy, wraps, massages, beauty treatments and more. The town of Spa is also is dotted with other bath facilities that offer hot swimming pools and natural mineral geysers.
The Casino
The Casino of Spa, the oldest casino in the world, was built in 1763 by a prince-bishop of the nearby city of Liège. Visitors can take a free tour of the ornate building.
The Spa-Francorchamps Formula One Circuit
The Belgian Grand Prix goes back to 1925 when it first held its national race in the Spa region’s race track. The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is among the most challenging and historic Formula One 1 tracks. At almost 7 km, it is the longest of the F1 circuits and features long straights, perilous fast corners, and dynamic elevation changes set against a backdrop of the picturesque Ardennes countryside. The Spa 24 Hours endurance race is also held on this circuit.
Pouhon Pierre le Grand
Spa’s emblematic building houses the mineral water fountain named after the Russian Tsar Peter the Great, who visited the city in the 18th century and became a big fan of its healing and wellness qualities.
Domaine de Berinzenne
In the heart of the Spa forest, the Domaine of Bérinzenne offers a panoramic tower, a park with a pond and picnic areas. The Musee de la Foret et des Eaux “P.Noe” presents the natural environment of the region. The Maison de la Nature is a starting point for many walks.
RAVeL Spa – Francorchamps – Stavelot
The RAVeL was constructed over an old train line and offers an excellent trail with magnificent views, including the race circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. It is about 15 kms long and is suitable for bicycles.
Musee de la Ville des Eaux
This city museum is located in the royal villa originally built for the Belgian queen Marie-Henriette in 1863. It houses a rich collection of “jolités de Spa,” lacquerware that is the town’s speciality, old documents, and furnishings from the thermal baths that are testament to the town’s illustrious past.
Musee de la Lessive
This unusual Laundry Museum has 25 rooms detailing laundry methods over the years, from medieval times to the present day.
Horse Museum
These collections recall Spa’s prestigious equestrian past of major races (the first in the country) and among the finest teams.
Jean Loup Legrand
A high quality artisan chocolatier in Spa.
Hiking, climbing and walking
Spa is known as the “Pearl of the Ardennes” thanks to its location within a magnificently lush valley of the Ardennes Mountains. Its surrounding mountains and forests (Bois de Staneux, Bois de la Picherotte and Bois de Rohaimont) make Spa the perfect outdoor adventure destination.
Spa Cultural Events
Spa houses music festivals in the summer with the Francofolies de Spa Festival and literary events during the Spa Theatre Festival, Belgium’s major summer theatre event.
The Wallonia Region of Belgium
- Castles of Belgium-There is one castle every 25 km²
- Abbeys– some names will sound familiar to beer and cheese lovers: Floreffe Abbey, Notre-Dame of Leffe Abbey, The Maredsous Abbey and St Joseph Visitors’ Centre, Dennée, Orval Abbey, Cistercian Abbey in Villers-la-Ville
- Liège-Just 25 km from Spa, the city of Liège is packed with cultural and historical gems, including the Coteaux de la Citadelle site, the majestic Church of St. Jacques, the Curtius Museum, the Liege gothic Cathedral, opera houses, theatres, legendary Belgian food, beer and hospitality at one of the many local cafes, restaurants and bars.
- Other towns in the five provinces of Wallonia: Waterloo, Villers-la-Ville, Wavre, Nivelles, Louvain-la-Neuve, (province of Walloon Brabant) Charleroi, Tournai, Mons, Binche, Chimay (province of Hainaut), Namur, Dinant, Han-sur-Lesse, Rochefort, Couvin (province of Namur), Huy, Stavelot, Malmedy (province of Liège), Saint-Hubert, La Roche, Bouillon, Orval, la Gaume and Durbuy (province of Belgian Luxembourg).