This elegant and serene original travel poster from the 1940s, designed by the artist Olivier, was produced for the SNCF, the French national railway, to promote the thermal spa destination of Vittel during its high season—from June to September.
Rendered in crisp lines and a palette of soft pastels and lush greens, the composition captures the refined ambiance of Vittel’s famous thermal resort. In the foreground, carefully manicured gardens lead to the grand pavilion, its classical architecture framed by blooming flower beds, decorative urns, and dark pine trees. Behind it rises a grand hotel or sanatorium—emblematic of the town’s long-standing reputation as a center of health and well-being.
The poster is a model of early 20th-century travel design, combining artistic stylization with promotional clarity. The lettering is minimal yet striking: “VITTEL” in bold black capitals dominates the lower half, followed by “Campagne Thermale” in fresh green, echoing the promise of clean air, healing waters, and rejuvenation in the French countryside. Below, the red text “Saison Juin - Septembre” conveys the seasonal nature of the spa experience.
Vittel, located in the Vosges region of northeastern France, rose to prominence in the 19th century as a luxurious destination for thermal cures, thanks to its naturally carbonated mineral water. By the 1930s and ’40s, it was synonymous with rest, refinement, and medical tourism—particularly for the Parisian elite and European aristocracy. Posters like this one played a key role in promoting the idea of railway-enabled wellness getaways.
The emblem of the SNCF at the top signals the railway’s central role in making these remote destinations accessible, especially at a time when France was investing heavily in promoting regional tourism via its rail networks.
With its calming composition and Art Deco-inflected elegance, this poster is more than just travel advertising—it is an invitation to step back into an era when health, leisure, and nature were seamlessly intertwined. For collectors of French railway art, spa history, or mid-century design, this piece offers a visually rich and culturally resonant glimpse into the golden age of European thermal tourism.
Railway - Tourism - Vosges - France
Créations Dauphine Paris
Good condition, restorations
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