French PLM Vintage Travel Poster ‘Vichy’ by H. Gray & Tanconville, 1898

To begin our list is a rich, vibrant PLM (Paris-Lyon-Mediterranee) Travel Poster to Vichy, France dated 1898. Vichy was known at the time for its famous thermal baths (spas) and its fabulous park (pictured in the poster).

Vichy was home to Napoleon from 1861-1866 where he changed the landscape, created new boulevards and streets and made it one of the most elegant cities in France.

During this time (specifically 1865), the splendid park was built by an architect named “Badger”. In year 1900, they added the iconic gates/fences from the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris to enclose the park.

Also around this time, the Spa became popular with the upper-middle class Parisiens (including celebrities). The Spa’s popularity actually kicked off the massive construction of the Vichy Opera House in 1903.

All of these factors and more contributed to an explosive surge in tourism.

The elegant attire and floral details made this Poster the perfect representation of Belle Epoque.