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The
Auvergne region fully intends to increase its accessibility in
order to further enhance its attractiveness. This is part of a
general inter-regional objective, the overriding goal of which
is to create a real policy for the Massif Central region. Moreover,
the Auvergne is opening up into the Rhône-Alpes area, which
remains its main partner in trade.
In order to give further momentum to this move towards the exterior
and in keeping with its goals, the Region decided to participate
in the Metropolitan Cooperation program initiated by the DATAR,
by creating the RCAM (Réseau Clermont Auvergne Métropole).
The purpose of this network is to define a joint development strategy
with the regions bordering the Rhône-Alpes. This program
also concerns the Mediterranean area and the Atlantic coast region.
The
defined corporation axes also feature the CLARA (Lyon - Auvergne
- Rhône Alpes Cancer Research Pole), set up to encourage
the pooling of tools such as the Auvergne tumour bank and the
spa town/cancer treatment interface. A post-operation treatment
program for cancer patients to be rolled out in 5 pilot thermal
spa towns (Châtel-Guyon, le Mont-Dore, Néris-les-Bains,
Vichy and Chaudes-Aigues) is currently being developed.
Lastly, one should not forget the Auvergne Biocluster set up to
boost the biotechnology sector, by means of an inter-regional
operation encouraging the federation of concerned players.
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The
Allier's central geographical location places it at the crossroads
of major European transit routes. Its surface area of 7,340 km²
constitutes an excellent transition plateau between the northern
flatlands and the mountains of the Massif Central.
The
Auvergne has a dense road network: 5,323 km of secondary roads;
8,352 km of local and country roads, 230 km of main roads; and
111.5 km of motorways.
North/South axes:
A71
(slip road from Gannat) and A72 (Paris/Clermont-Ferrand/Lyon),
A75 (Paris/Mediterranean/Spain), A77 (Paris/Mediterranean), RN9
and RN7 (mostly dual carriageway between Varennes-sur-Allier and
Paris).
The RN7 national road is an essential transit route for the Nièvre,
the Allier and the Loire regions, crossing through major areas
of employment. Currently, politicians and other representatives
are jointly trying to obtain funding to extend the dual carriageway
over the entire 243 kilometres, to create an alternative route
to the A6 motorway between Paris and Lyon by 2013. Work is progressing
satisfactorily and in 2007, the state released 1.6 million
to create a dual carriageway between Moulins and Villeneuve-sur-Allier
(due for completion in 2009).
East/West Axes:
The
CEAR (Centre, Europe, Atlantic Road) road between Mâcon
and La Rochelle, which connects the Atlantic coast to Germany,
Switzerland and Italy, is undergoing development work. The Lamaids
detour has just been completed, and the Montluçon bypass
has been started.
The section of the A89 between Clermont-Ferrand and Bordeaux will
be finalized next year. Now connected to the A71 about twenty
kilometres south of Gannat, this motorway will complete the arc
connecting the motorways from the Atlantic coast with those leading
into Germany and Italy.
A Clear Desire to Improve Accessibility of the Region.
In
2007, the Government increased its grant assistance five-fold,
releasing a total of 71.4 million to modernize the CEAR,
the RN7 and the RN209.
The development of road, train and air transport is one of the
territorial priorities. The Clermont-Ferrand/Vichy/Lyon and Montluçon/Vierzon
train lines are currently being updated, as were the main roads,
under an agreement between the Region and the Department (
6 million over 3 years). Work is also currently underway in Moulins
and Vichy to facilitate links between the various means of transport
using inter-modal poles. It is also planned to carry out feasibility
studies on the Allier airfields.
The
Allier has now made up for lost time on IT infrastructure, with
high-speed Internet now available in over 96% of the Department.
A grant of 13.0 million (from the Department and the Region)
will be used within the framework of a private/public partnership
to ensure 100% coverage by 2008.
Encouraging the Demographic Trend
Over
the last 10 years, the Allier has attracted over 40,000 people
from other Departments, i.e., no less than 12% of its population.
Recent population surveys carried out by the French Central Statistics
Office (INSEE) between 2004 and 2006, show that there is positive
net migration. This is the first time since the 70's that this
has happened, with almost 1,500 new arrivals setting up home each
year in the Allier, mainly in the suburban areas.
Drawing
on these encouraging statistics, the Allier would like to inverse
the current overall population falloff, caused by a declining
birthrate. The imbalance between a birthrate of 9.8% (12.7% for
France) and a mortality rate of 12% (8.4% for France) is causing
this mismatch, which is however getting smaller. In fact, the
population drop-off for the entire Allier region since 1999 is
only 0.14% (as opposed to 0.41% between 1982 and 1999). The year
2006 saw 3,427 births, one of the highest figures over the last
decade.
Increasing Number of Senior Citizens
With
a population of 342,300, no less than 31.8% are over 60 years
old, compared with 20.7% at national level. In other words, a
third of the Allier population has already gone beyond the 60-year-old
barrier.
A new departmental program has been developed to assist these
100,000 senior citizens (whose numbers will be increasing): home-help
actions will be rolled out by 2015 and 400 additional spaces will
be created in senior citizen residences. This will lead to the
creation of several hundreds of new jobs.
Widescale retirement will also encourage the passing-on of the
company management to new people, be it within the same family,
or from employer to employees, or by an external party coming
in. In fact, over 3,000 manual and commercial undertakings will
be coming up for ownership transfer within the next 10 years.
Efforts are being made to encourage new company managers and their
families to set up in the Allier, one aspect of which involves
special grants for moving into the region.
The increasing demand for services and retirements will naturally
lead to vacancies for younger people. As a result, 63 out of every
100 young people between 20 and 24 years old are active on the
work market, which is 10 points higher than the rest of the Auvergne
and France.
Falling Unemployment
The
most recent statistics published by the DARES and the French Central
Statistics Office INSEE show that lively economic growth has caused
unemployment figures to fall, essentially in the services sector.
With an unemployment rate of 8.6% in January 2007, the Allier
is comparable to the French average. Over the space of one year,
this unemployment rate has fallen at a rate of 5.7%, which is
slightly above the 5.5% rate of fall at a regional level.
Also during 2006, the number of women seeking employment in the
Allier fell by 6.1%, and the number of men by 10.3%. The number
of young people seeking employment (i.e., the under 25s) fell
by 9%.
No
less than 25% of all Auvergne business undertakings are based
in the Allier
The 129,854 jobs are mainly distributed over the three urban areas
in the territory: Vichy and the surrounding area is the leading
economic centre of the Department, ahead of Montluçon and
Moulins.
A Reasonable Tax Level
Since
2001, the Allier is one of the Departments with the lowest tax
rate increases, with the tax rate increasing only 15.5% as opposed
to 18.08% nationally. Approved without any increase in the tax
rate, the 2007 budget will enable the Department to maintain its
positive reputation as one of the French Departments with the
lowest tax. This is naturally a major consideration, both for
companies and private individuals.
Moreover, there is a smaller difference between the highest and
the lowest salaries in the Allier than at a national level. In
other words, unqualified workers in the Allier earn more than
their counterparts at a national level.
External Trade Focused on European-level Transactions
The
Allier's strategic geographic position at European level explains
the ever-increasing quantity of exchanges with the European Union,
in particular Germany and Italy, as well as the United Kingdom
(food and animal foodstuffs). Naturally, the other continents
are also present, but the volume of exchanges is lower.
Import figures for 2005 showed the total value of Allier imports
at 885 million, with exports standing at 1,295 million.
This trade surplus represents an increase over 2004 figures.
The Allier is the second most important regional player in this
respect, accounting for almost 25% of commercial exchanges within
the Auvergne.
A Rich Economic Tissue
Out
of the 14,927 companies based in the Allier, 3,727 are in Industry
and Construction, representing 25% of the Department's economic
activity.
The number of people employed in Industry has increased by 4%
over the last 10 years. The region is very proud of its expertise
in the fields of chemical, rubber, plastics, metalworking, electric
and electronic components.
The food-processing industry is also growing steadily, with a
high level of productivity and a good reputation.
Skills poles have also developed in specialized sectors such as
biotechnologies and cosmetics (Vichy), electro-mechanics (Montluçon)
and food processing (Moulins).
The
industrial sector is in fine health, accounting for 20% of total
employment, which is above the French average (18%).
Likewise, the Service sector is growing: 16% of the working population
are employed by the 2,373 establishments which provide services
to companies, as well as transport and real estate, with 17% working
in private customer services, and 13% employed in health, education
and social action, where female employees are especially present.
In total, this accounts for 46% of employees working in a strongly
growing sector.
Commercial
activity is also stable, with 4,403 establishments accounting
for 29% of jobs. However, consumers are rather cautious at the
moment, and the overall sales of retailers in the Allier increased
by a modest 0.3% during 2006 (which is nevertheless the best result
for the region) which represents a fall compared to the previous
year's 1.0% increase.
The agri-food sector is returning the best results (+1.4%). This
is essentially beneficial to large-scale distribution and the
main Allier urban areas, but has rather detrimental effects on
the local retailers in rural areas. The development of e-retailing,
with national Internet leaders is also significant.
Agriculture,
the third most important activity in the Department, accounts
for 66% of the overall territory.
Forests cover 22% of the area, generating a dynamic forestry industry.
The 6,132 farms, with an average holding of 82 hectares, focus
on quality. In fact, the Allier is the leader in France for the
quality of its organic products, and has no fewer than 7 red label
quality certificates. The number of requests for AOC certification
is also increasing, and 75% of livestock breeders rear suckler
cattle, with the Department in second place on a national level.
With almost 200 farms coming up for hand-over each year, it is
important that the necessary preparatory measures be taken.
Of
note is the survival rate of Allier companies after five years,
which is significantly higher than the national average (50.8%):
of 100 companies created, 59 are still in activity after five
years, all sectors included.
Keen
to optimize its natural assets, the Allier is also focusing on
tourism, a net contributor to the economy, with average turnover
estimated at 250 million, concerning 3,000 direct employments.
Since April 2007, a major, national advertising campaign has been
rolled out to promote the "Dolce Vita" in the region.
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Created
in April 2006, Vichy Auvergne Region ("Pays de Vichy-Auvergne")
federates 169 communities. Official recognition is currently pending
from the Prefecture. Its scope of action embraces the urban community
of Vichy Val d'Allier, 10 communities from the areas of Allier
(Sioule Colette et Bouble, Bassin de Gannat, Pays de Saint-Pourçain,
Varennes-Forterre, Le Donjon Val Libre, Pays de la Palisse, Montagne
Bourbonnaise) and Puy-de-Dôme (Nord Limagne, Côteaux
de Randan, Limagne Bords d'Allier) as well as the three separate
communities of Chateldon, Lachaux and Ris.
In a nutshell, this is a dynamic and outward looking territory,
able to promote policies of sustainable development with close
collaboration between urban and rural areas.
The Vichy Auvergne Region draws on the expertise of its Development
Board, and its Decision-Making Partner, whose role consists in
negotiating contracts and obtaining grants from European, governmental,
regional or departmental partners. Consisting of persons from
a wide range of social and professional backgrounds, the work
commissions of the Development Board propose actions to the Decision-Making
Partner, which implements these actions.
For example, Jean-Michel Guerre, chairman of the Vichy Auvergne
Region, recently announced the launching of an initial study concerning
a transport-on-demand service over the entire area.
Stéphane Zapata, General Manager since January 2007, and
one of the driving forces behind the Vichy Auvergne Region, intervenes
as an adviser to locally elected representatives, and also advises
the Development Board. With responsibility for putting together
applications, he handles the link between the various intervening
parties and territorial agents.
The
Vichy Auvergne Region is a freely chosen territorial entity, resulting
from the Voynet Law (1999).
It consists in a structure to facilitate, coordinate and support
partnerships involving development projects, federating elected
representatives of several communities and community groups, as
well as all other concerned parties (associations, cultural, economic
and sporting players) active in the territory in question.
The
purpose of this new way of organizing the territory is to increase
the participation of all social and economic players and associations
in decisions impacting the territory by encouraging cross-community
projects. The overall goal is to encourage, by means of formalized
contracts, consistency between public policies and their deployment
at grassroots level.
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Created
six years ago, the Vichy Val d'Allier Urban Community ("VVA")
is the largest in the Department. The Committee is located in
the Vichy employment area, with a population of almost 110,000
spread out over 81 communities, of which 65 are essentially rural,
and of which 40 have a population of less than 500.
A
reinforced partnership with the regional urban area
The
geographical location of the urban community means that it can
have excellent exchanges with the Clermont region, which is naturally
a positive factor in boosting development.
This is the background to the VVA participation in the Clermont-Auvergne
network, which is particularly active on concerted action projects
such as the Auvergne biocluster, in which the Bio-Business Park
(Bioparc Vichy) is involved, or the installation of very high-speed
Internet with a speed of 8 to 10 Mbps in the VVA.
As
regards tourism, Val d'Allier constitutes the federating link
in this urban region, with Vichy increasingly promoting itself
as a top-range vacation resort amongst the thermal spa towns.
VVA Key Figures:
-
Vichy Val d'Allier counts 23 communities. They are: Abrest, Bellerive-sur-Allier,
Billy, Bost, Brugheas, Busset, Charmeil, Cognat-Lyonne, Creuzier-le-Neuf,
Creuzier-le-Vieux, Cusset, Espinasse-Vozelle, Hauterive, Le Vernet,
Magnet, Mariol, Saint-Germain des Fossés, Saint-Rémy
en Rollat, Saint-Yorre, Serbannes, Seuillet, Vendat and Vichy.
- 7 of these communities have a population of more than 2000:
- Vichy (27,714)
- Cusset (13,385)
- Bellerive-sur-Allier (8,448)
- Saint-Germain-des-Fossés (3,727)
- Saint-Yorre (3,003)
- Creuzier-le-Vieux (2,960)
- Abrest (2,428)
- Total population is 79,000 with over half the population living
in Vichy and Cusset
- Total surface area is 327.5 km²
- Population density is 228 persons per km²
- Over 5000 registered businesses (retailing, industry, construction,
services, agriculture)
- There are 29 000 registered job positions in the territory,
with about 20 companies employing over 100 people (mainly the
industrial sector)
A dynamic and diversified industrial activity
Whereas
industrial activity accounts for slightly over 16% of the French
average, it accounts for 20% of total employment in the VVA, which
naturally impacts significantly on the local employment market.
And even though some industrial activities are currently experiencing
problems, other activities, such as plastics engineering, are
growing steadily, with the latter accounting for about 20 companies
and 650 jobs in the Vichy work area, with this physical closeness
to each other creating significant levels of synergy.
With
over 400 industrial companies, VVA constitutes the second regional
urban concentration, with a host of business activities:
Health
& Beauty: Cosmétique Active Production (500 jobs in
Creuzier-le-Vieux on the site of the Oréal group), Unither
Créapharm in Gannat, as well as the Vichy Bio-Business
Park in Hauterive (7 Med Industrie, Naturetis, JCE Biotechnology,
Vectec, Vichy Medical Product).
The three thermal spa centers in Vichy (Les Célestins,
Les Dômes and Callou) play an important role in highlighting
this activity.
Other
activities include: plastics engineering (with CTL Packaging,
Wavin France SAS, Zeller Plastik France); electronics (Electronica,
Nizerolles Systèmes Electroniques, Labinal); metal working
(Les Profilés du Centre, Valmont-Sermeto); automobile (Ligier,
CGR Saint-Yorre, equipment manufacturer Don Foster Technologies,
Applifil).
The
Agri-Food sector is also represented: Moinet Vichy Santé,
Société Nouvelle des Pastilles de Vichy, Comptoir
européen de la confiserie, Arrivé, Forez Porc, SCBV
Mineral Water, Capryl).
The
luxury leather industry is also well represented: Europ'Ecrins
SA, Sofama in Espinasse-Vozelle, Manufacture bourbonnaise de Maroquinerie
in Bellerive-sur-Allier and two Vuitton plants in St-Pourçain-sur-Sioule.
The
Construction sector (Peintamélec Construction, Planche
SA, Sigma Entreprises, Réolon-Suchet).
These
are just some examples of the rich industrial fabric of the region.
There are industrial areas as well as several business parks:
Vichy Bio-Business Park in Hauterive (www.bioparc.com)
Specialized in Health, Beauty and Fitness, this business park
is the fruit of a partnership with the Montluçon-Gannat
Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The original idea consisted
in setting aside 1,600 m² of premises to meet requests to
set up new business undertakings. In 2006, new companies started
operating inside the Park and 2,000 m² of premises were delivered.
Major renovations were undertaken for the Park's 10th anniversary
(access, lighting, etc.). At the moment, the Park contains 18
companies with 160 jobs spread out over the 25 hectares (which
can be extended to 45 hectares, if required).
- Cusset Industrial Zone
- Croix des Vernes Business Park; Bois des Jarraux (Saint-Yorre)
- Croix Saint-Martin Business Park (Vichy)
- Le Coquet Industrial Business Park (Seuillet /Saint-Germain-des-Fossés)
which has recently been extended
- Ancises Business Park (Creuzier-le-Neuf)
This Park has been extended and freshly landscaped. VVA's support
played a key role in developing an International Logistics platform
for Oréal-Vichy (16,000 m² of premises).
- Vichy Rhue Business Park (Creuzier-le-Vieux)
- Les Bats (Saint Rémy-en-Rollat)
- Davayat Business Park (20 hectares in Saint Rémy-en-Rollat)
- La Tour (Abrest)
- La Boucharde (Brugheas)
- Les Combes, Contrée des Fonds Vilains (Le Vernet)
- Champcourt, Contrée de Gauvin (Cusset)
Good health of the service sector
The
service sector generates the greatest number of jobs and shows
the best economic growth.
Not only is the number of managerial-level positions constantly
increasing, the number of intermediate professions and operative-level
vacancies is also growing steadily.
In fact, regardless of the activity (commercial, services to companies
or households), the number of people employed is constantly increasing,
and there is every reason to believe that this will continue over
the forthcoming years.
This
expansion concerns the following: consultancy and assistance to
business undertakings; operational services; and social action,
education and health (more oriented towards household consumption).
Also
of note is the company Karavel, active in the tourism and online
retail sectors, which has been in Vichy since 2005, and is expected
to lead to the creation of 200 jobs over the next three years.
Other business undertakings of note in the Information Technologies
and Communications sectors are: NSE (400 jobs in Abrest); Satel
(150 jobs) and Percall (about 100 jobs planned for Cusset).
The
above growth examples, although impressive, will not suffice to
meet expected future requirements, and new jobs will have to be
created in these sectors of activity. The attendant necessary
urban development and transport infrastructure works are currently
being carried out.
A Services Pole Project covering 8,000 m² of offices on the
site of a former bottling plant will be finalized at the end of
2007. Located at the entry to Vichy, adjacent to the future Intermodal
Exchange Station, this will encourage the diversification of economic
activities in the area.
This initiative was launched by the Urban Community; it will consist
of 18 months of renovation work, leading to the creation of offices
of between 20 to 200 m², as well as urban areas covering
400 to 1,000 m², and a business cent to provide customized
services to companies for the desired duration.
The Services Pole will also contain a business-Incubator centre,
a Business Centre, a "Business Hotel", a car park, social
housing, and a residence for young workers. The total investment
is 14 million, covering a surface area of 22,000 m².
On the health front, the new Mother & Child Unit in the Vichy
Hospital Centre is the only maternity unit in the area. Fitted
with the most recent technology, it has a capacity of 1,100 to
1,200 births each year.
A vigorous University Centre
With
almost 500 students, in addition to trainees from 115 countries
as part of a program organized by the CAVILAM
(4,600 per year) to learn the French language, the Vichy
University & Technology Pole (PUTV) operates in partnership
with the Blaise Pascal University and the Montluçon Technological
University Institute (IUT), training technicians and advanced
graduates in about a dozen sectors of activity.
Resolutely oriented towards the health, ICT and international
commerce professions, the PUTV makes a significant contribution
to local development. Last October saw the creation (in partnership
with the University of Clermont) of a new degree course to train
specialist retailers of multimedia and telecommunications products
and services.
The Orangerie Media Library has a repertory of over 6,000 works,
available for consultation in the reading room, as well as a multimedia
room.
In addition to the University, Vichy has training courses for
post-secondary studies, with almost 1,500 students, focusing on
information technologies, communications, services, etc.
This very promising services sector can call on a dense commercial
network, especially in Vichy where retailers are open on a Sunday
(inevitable given the town's status as a spa resort).
The town centre has been renovated and there are walkways along
the shopping facilities bordering the parks with a large number
of outlets, bringing in customers from a wide catchment area.
In
November 2006, the entirely renovated Vichy Indoor Market opened
its doors. An entirely glass structure, covering 6,800 m²,
the Market sells a host of food products (43 permanent retailers)
and local products, with the "Couleurs de la Ferme"
Farmfresh Food Association, federating 80 producers and the local
tourist board. The federation won the Territoria award handed
out by the French Senate and the Observatory for public innovation.
In addition, a program is being implemented to supports small
communities in order to help local retailers remain in business
(Le Vernet, Magnet).
The development of transport, a major challenge.
The
Intermodal Exchange Station is scheduled to open its doors in
spring 2008 on the site of the former Vichy Station right in the
town centre. Initial work has started, with the extension of the
underground representing the first step of the construction work.
Demolition and renovation work is expected to continue for over
15 months, without interrupting the current train service.
When this work has been completed, it will represent a marked
improvement for transport in both Vichy and the Allier, not only
for trains, but also for buses, the Allier regional coaches (TER),
taxis, bicycles and cars. The total cost of the renovation work
is 11 million.
As a further sign of the area's intention to increase general
accessibility and transport, the Bus Inter new transport system
was launched in 2006, and the Mobilval transport-on-demand system
may be extended over Pays de Vichy-Auvergne.
Scheduled for completion in 2011, the South/West (18.4 km from
Saint Yorre to Bellerive/Allier) and North/West (Bellerive/Allier
to Saint Rémy-en-Rollat) bypasses, plus the extension of
the road serving the A71 motorway on the outskirts of Vichy (future
slip road Gannat-Vichy) will connect the Allier to the main strategic
road axes, whilst limiting HGV Traffic.
An excellent quality of life
Further
advantages of Vichy include the general style of life, with a
lively cultural and sporting scene, which Vichy fully intends
to encourage.
To
encourage environmental protection, a key consideration, the selective
collection of waste is being phased in. Already operational in
Vichy, Cusset and Bellerive, it enabled the recycling of 14,033
tonnes during the first four years.
The sanitation network covering 36 km, newly created or renovated,
is now linked to the new Vichy-Rhue sanitation plant which processes
the wastewater of almost 70% of the population.
An excellent cultural and sporting scene
The area offers a wide range of sports facilities, generating
significant economic spin-offs:
With two 18-hole golf courses, a horseracing track, and a renovated
horse arena (where international horse jumping competitions are
held each year), the area's rich natural heritage encourages outdoor
activities.
Work
was done on the banks of the Allier river to facilitate rowing,
sailing, water skiing and jet skiing along the pedestrianised
banks, a favourite destination for walkers and joggers.
The international multipurpose sports complex includes football/rugby
stadiums, tennis courts, as well as rooms for firearms sports,
judo and basketball.
Professionals and amateurs alike have access to top-level infrastructure,
some of which has been significantly renovated. The players of
the JAV are a top-level
team present in Pro A, and the many fans of basketball appreciate
the brand new facility.
The Darragon municipal Stadium for rugby and football has also
been extensively renovated, and was proud to host the Under-21
Rugby World Cup in June 2006.
In total, about 50 different sports disciplines can be practiced,
in addition to which competitions and events are organized regularly.
The
start of the horseracing season in May 2007 saw the integration
of "Le Lac d'Allier", a new stand on stilts consisting
in two floors for horseracing professionals and companies or associations
organizing horseracing social evenings, in an area which is both
functional as well as "VIP" with a capacity of 300 people.
Managed by the Racing Society, the Vichy
horseracing track plans to rival with better-known venues
such as Longchamp, Deauville and Vincennes. With 130,000 visitors
coming each year from May to September, the track runs 45 harness
and flat gallop races (36 as part of the PMU), with some happening
late evening, generating a total turnover of almost 200
million. The "Grande Semaine du Galop" which takes place
during the third week of July is the highlight of the season.
Vichy-Val d'Allier is also proud of its swimming
complex, located on the former pigeon shooting site in
Bellerive. To be completed at the end of 2007, this 21 million
euro complex will have two separate swimming areas: The first
area, with a pool measuring 25 x 21 meters, for "real swimmers"
will have bleachers in line with the standards of the French Swimming
Federation; and the second area, more for "leisure simmers",
will have a number of smaller pools and fun activities, with a
fully equipped Health and Fitness centre upstairs.
The sports complex will also have a 50 x 21-meter pool with modular
bleachers, where top-level competitions and training sessions
for national teams can be handled.
This combination of sports activities, for professionals and amateurs
alike, is part of the development of the Sports Plateau, the 3rd
largest of its kind in Europe covering over 500 hectares, totally
dedicated to sport.
Thanks
to the Sports Plateau, rich in technical and human resources,
VVA can apply to host major sports events, for crowds of up to
18,000. As part of this program, the artificial river will be
renovated, in order to enhance its chances of organising the Kayak
World Championship scheduled for 2011.
The
quality of its exceptional infrastructures is being continually
enhanced, and the CREPS
residential sports training centre is also being constantly modernized
to host more international teams, and form the young stars of
tomorrow in a host of disciplines (football, boxing, etc.). It
is already a popular training centre for national teams, such
as the Metz and Lens football teams, who are just two of about
20 football clubs to come to the CREPS for intensive training
courses during the 2007/2008 season.
Each year, almost 3,000 candidates take place in the final CAPEPS
Selections, and about 20 national and international championships
are organized in a host of disciplines: athletics, rowing, fencing,
tennis and French bowls.
The star event for 2007 was the French cross-country championship
in March under the auspices of the French cross-country body,
followed by the cross-country event of the fire brigade.
Sports events are the biggest generator of hotel stays in Vichy,
accounting for 120,000 nights each year. However, people coming
to conferences, trade fairs and similar events also make a significant
contribution with about 40 hotels catering to their requirements;
the total number of nights accounted for by trade fairs and business
visitors is 74,000 per year (60,000 for people coming to the thermal
baths).
Surrounded by beautiful parks, the Vichy Opera House Conference
centre plays host to a large number of national and international
events: conferences, trade fairs, seminars, public debates, and
so on.
In 2007, three trade fairs were organized simultaneously (Proxima
Vert, Proxima Sport and Proxima Voirie) which brought together
contract givers and service providers from a wide selection of
municipalities and towns.
On a similar note, the national Congresses of football referees
and rugby referees underline the synergy currently developing
between sports tourism and business tourism.
Other significant names who chose VVA include: De Vinci Energie
group with its annual convention; INRA (French National Institute
for Agricultural Research) with an international symposium on
metabolism; special needs educators for their 17th national Congress;
Nutravita (natural health products) organized meetings dedicated
to obesity.
With all the necessary modern technologies and infrastructure
in an original setting, its old-style rooms renovated to replicate
the original (such as the Napoleon III room; or the Eugénie
Auditorium, installed on the site of the current theatre) have
a capacity of almost 500 people.
The region is understandably proud of the Vichy Opera House which
operates all year round with a rich and varied program, featuring
both theatre, music and dance. International artists have performed
in the magnificent Art Nouveau room, inaugurated 1903, sumptuously
decorated and with excellent acoustics.
Since 2004, the Rencontres Lyriques Européennes Opera Festival,
organized during September and October, has been growing in stature.
Encouraging
the development of Tourism and Thermal Spa visits :
The "Allier: ma Dolce Vita à moi" exemplifies
an initiative undertaken by Vichy to modernize the popular mental
image of the town and its thermal bath reputation.
Urban renovation works have also been undertaken (lighting, appearance,
landscaping) including the creation of a landscaped walking route
along the boulevard de Lattre-de-Tassigny. This Esplanade of the
Allier lake, a natural continuation of the parks, will be open
for appreciation by walkers and cyclists from summer 2008.
Just around the corner, the Michelin-rated chef Jacques Décoret
prepares unforgettable cuisine in one of the chalets built by
Napoleon 3, an emblem of the town's architectural (and now gastronomic)
heritage.
The goal of the recently launched "Lose Weight in Vichy"
("Maigrir à Vichy") is to bring spa treatments
more in line with the current demand, combining dietary and sporting
practices with traditional spa water treatments.
There
are plans to create a spa leisure centre, based on a partnership
between spa operators, the tourist board and 9 hotels (including
their chefs!) the most active in this sector.
And, when one considers that obesity is becoming a global problem,
Vichy stands to gain from future developments in this highly profitable
aspect of the health and beauty sector.
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