Eric Brut

Recently re-elected mayor, he is going to develop on the territorial development and the city of La Bourboule. This is a small city of 2000 inhabitant in the heart of the Massif of Sancy in Auvergne, it is a recent city because it was created in 1875. There are 10 000 touristic beds so in the summer the population is multiplied by five. However, there is a touristic activity during the whole year because there is the thermal activity but also the winter sports (the city is 850 meters high). La Bourboule was created for thermalism, 85% of jobs of the city are dedicated to the welcoming of visitors. Before the 2nd World War, politicians, famous characters, went there to have fun and cure themselves, they stayed in palaces. After 1947, the public was more diversified because of the creation of the “Sécurité Sociale” which reimbursed 65% of thermal treatments; palaces were transformed in hotels, the economy declined. Since 1990, there is a phenomenon of economic diversification: wellness, appreciation of historic heritage and immaterial heritage. Today, people realize the importance of thermal heritage, indeed it gives sense to the tourists’ stay. La Bourboule is from the origin a member of EHTTA because it affirms its interest for partnerships at a European scale. La Bourboule is also a member of the Route des Villes d’Eaux du Massif Central (Massif Central Route of Thermal Cities). There is a collaborative work since approximately 30 years because some regional politicians chose to create the Thermal Auvergne which set up collective action plans and marketing to promote Auvergne as a thermal destination. There are today two issues: taking in consideration the desires of inhabitants and improving the attractiveness of the territory. The culture is the solution to these two issues because after the employment and the sanitary offer, culture is the third motivation for people who want to settle somewhere. The city is equipped for events: theatre, congress center, puppets theatre. La Bourboule is dedicated to respiratory treatments and allergies treatments, especially in dermatology so the city has always welcomed children and teenagers. Before, it was the first pediatric thermal city of Europe concerning the frequentation (about forty lodgings were dedicated to the welcoming of groups of sick children). The city is still in the theme of childhood today with the Plein la Bobine festival which is totally anchored in the cultural politics, there is also the Street Arts festival, and constant exchanges with Russian, Spanish or artists of other nationalities (they come to show their works: sculptures, paintings,…) there is always an international dimension.