French Mineral Waters
Abatilles
Bottled at the Saint-Anne source in Arachon, Abatilles mineral water is one of the most popular from the South West of France. The water benefits from a long filtration through sandstone aquifers, close to the pine forests of Arachon, and the water basin, 472 metres deep protects Abatilles water from pollutants. A mineral rich thermal spring, it has been recognised for its healing properties since 1925.
Abatilles water was discovered in 1922 by Louis Le Marie, who went in search of oil and discovered water instead!
Amélie la Reine
Amélie la Reine is naturally gaseous water from the Alps region of France. The first record of its discovery date back to 1639 and in 1884 it began to be bottled for sale. Trieves is one of the most fertile and sparsely populated areas, there are only 142 residents, of the Alps, making it free from pollutants.
The first owner of the source was M. Auvergne and he named the source and the water after one of his daughters, Amélie.
Arcens
Arcens water is rainwater that has been filtered through the volcanoes in the Ardeche region of France. Arcens water is pure, well balanced and rich in minerals.
It is naturally gaseous but also comes in a still variety and is bottled everyday at the source, La Préservatrice, in Arcens.
Aix-les-Bains
Aix-les-Bains is from the Savoire region in the French Alps. This water, rich in a large number of minerals, is bottled at Raphy-St-Simon-Est near Grésy. It is owned by the Intermarche group.
Alet
Alet water was discovered by the Romans around 2000 years ago and is one of the oldest mineral waters in France. The water is bottled in the small, fortified village of Aude, in the heart of the Cathare region.
In 1886 the health minister gave official recognition to the benefits of Alet water, which today is drunk by top athletes to improve their performance, especially the Toulouse Football Team. Legend also states that Charlemagne drank Alet water.
Badoit
Badoit water is one of the few naturally fizzy waters. Filtered through a layer of granite rock in the Saint Galmier region of France, it emerges at source with a light, natural sparkle, unlike most sparkling waters, which have there gaseous bubbles added during the bottling process.
Light and refreshing, this delicate mineral water is a favourite amongst the best hotels and restaurants in the world.
Châteldon
Châteldon water is known as the water of Louis XIV, probably France's most famous ruler. It was transported on two mules from the Auvergne to Louis' table in the Palace of Versailles. It is this Royal seal of approval that still makes Châteldon as popular today.
Naturally sparkling, Châteldon water is rich in minerals, especially calcium and carbon.
Contrex
Contrex water was discovered in 1760 by Dr Bagard, top doctor to Louis XV but it was not until 1891 that the first bottles of the mineral water were bottled. Contrex now bottle around 3.85 million bottles of water per day.
Evian
Evian water was discovered in 1789 by the Marquis de Lessert. Not only did he find the water light and refreshing but he also found that his health improved and his illness disappeared. Evian water originates as snow and rainfall on the peaks of the Alps and is filtered through aquifers in the heart of the mountains, for 15 years, before finally reaching its source in the own of Evian-les-Bains.
In 1926 the source, Cachat, was declared a place of public interest and now more than 4 million litres of Evian water are bottled every day. In 1992, Evian launched its distinctive 'mountain' shaped bottle, which was updated in 1995 to the crushable PET bottle.
La Vernière
La Vernière water is found next to the thermal springs of Lamalou les Bains. High in minerals, especially magnesium and calcium the La Vernière water source is found in the Haut - Languedoc park at the foot of the Cavennes.
Luchon
Luchon water is known as the queen of the Pyrenees and it is sourced at Bagnères-de-Luchon, which is a thermal spa. This spa, set in the middle of the Pyrenees, and is famous for aiding people with respiratory illness.
Perrier
The legend of Perrier water dates as far back as Hannibal, who allegedly discovered it in 218 B.C., whilst crossing Spain to conquer Rome. The Romans were the first to build a stone basin on the site of the source around two hundred years after it was discovered by Hannibal.
The first commercial ventures began in 1863 after the Granier family purchased the Bouillens estate, which held the source. In 1898 Louis Perrier took over the estate and the first instance of the Perrier name being associated with the source.
In 1992 the Perrier water, one of the few naturally carbonated waters, in its distinctive green glass, screw top bottles, had become such a market player that Nestle waters bought out the brand.
Vittel
Sold in over 72 countries worldwide, Vittel water is bottled in the town of Vosges and was discovered in 1854. Mineral water is the core range of Vittel but they also do spin off ranges. In 2002 the Vittel + Energy range was launched. This is a sport drink with a mineral water base.
They also do a number of fruit flavoured waters that are sugar free and designed to encourage higher water consumption, particularly during summer months. Vittel has been the official sponsor of the Flora London Marathon for eight years.
Volvic
Volvic water has been naturally filtered through the volcanic rock of the Auvergne region in central France. Fresh rainwater falls on the region this then passes very slowly through the porous layers of lava in the volcanic aquifers.
The water is then drawn from deep within the ancient volcano, at the base of the Puy de la Nugere, before being immediately bottled at the Clairvic source.
