page_title: Thermes de Saint Gervais Mont-Blanc
section_title: The early years: intuition and success (1806–1838)
hierarchical_section_title: Thermes de Saint Gervais Mont-Blanc / History / Joseph-Marie Gontard founds the thermal baths of Saint-Gervais (1805–1807) / The early years: intuition and success (1806–1838)
caption_attribution_description: Français&#160;: Gravure de thermes de Saint-Gervais au XIXème siècle
context_page_description: The Thermes de Saint Gervais Mont-Blanc is a spa organized around thermal springs, located in the valley of the Arve, in the hamlet of Fayet, in the municipality of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains in Haute-Savoie.
context_section_description: From 1806, the thermal baths of Saint-Gervais met with instant success . The site evolved into a prestigious hotel for tourists heading on to Chamonix, hikers setting off for the Mont Blanc Tour and travellers visiting the Alps. Over a thirty-year period, Joseph-Marie Gontard extended, refurbished and transformed the site, taking on a range of roles from wellness centre manager to hotel owner. 
  Up until 1815, the establishment offered evidence-based treatment for patients suffering from a range of different illnesses: rheumatic diseases, neuralgia, epilepsy, scurvy, uterine disorders, etc.
caption: Gravure des thermes de Saint-Gervais au XIXe siècle
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