France – Aix-les-Bains

: Image by Lady_Elixir via Flickr

Lakeside

The British have been coming here for years. Queen Victoria loved to visit here ‘incognito’ as the Countess of Balmoral, bringing her daughter Princess Beatrice, who suffered from rheumatism – as the waters are good for this condition.

Neville Chamberlain also holidayed here, as did Stanley Baldwin (Prime Minister during the Abdication) who would come for two months every summer. As as a result, many people in this flower-filled lakeside town speak English, and there are trees planted by these famous guests, a bust of Queen Victoria, and lots of other mementoes.

At the marvellous spa, they are well-used to treating post cancer patients, and make a speciality of care for patients with mouth cancers. There are specially-developed machines that look like dentists’ drills, directing streams of warm, healing water directly at the cancer site. You see patients having treatment with smiles on their faces.

Life is lived around the lake, and everyone takes a trip on the water at one time or another. We decided to hire a small boat, and Pascal took us off to visit the Abbay of Hautecombe, resting place of the Kings of Italy. The Abbey was founded in the 12th century, and eventually became part of the Dukes of Savoy’s properties. In 1860 the Duke swopped his dukedom of Savoy for the throne of Italy, and off they went – first to Turin and then to Rome. But they always came back here when they died – and the last King was buried here, and his wife, Marie-Jose of Belgium.

You can visit the Chapel and the the tombs – but if you happen to arrive when it is closed for a service, do join in. You can sit at the back and listen to the fantastic singing by the community that looks after the Abbey today.

Afterwards we re-joined our little boat and set off for Chanaz, a picture-book village by the banks of a canal, overflowing with flowers. If you come here during the evening, look out for beavers – I saw two once – but they are shy, and difficult to spot. Lunch at the Auberge de Savieres was superb – we ate, and talked, and ate – and found that all the French around us were doing exactly the same. 00 33 79 54 56 16.

Back in Aix, we took advantage of the medical spa treatments, and had some marvellous Massages. These are excellent, both for aches and pains, and also to restore skin that has suffered from large doses of NHS drugs. The spa definitely gives you back your bounce, and has lots for the family, with swimming, sailing, paragliding and lots of sports.

Everyone thought I was mad, as I insisted they went underground into the Casino car park. But this is a tourist attraction in its own right; the walls have the most wonderful collection of paintings – surreal but fun. And as you drive through looking for a space, you come across beautiful water features. An incredible sight.

www.rhonealpes-tourisme.com and www.savoie-mont-blanc.com

Boats: Bateau Prudhomme www.gwel.com