Contrex
Contrex is a natural mineral water from Contrexéville, in the Vosges department of Lorraine, France. The source has been in commercial use since the 18th century. The brand is owned by Danone (Nestlé Waters until 2021, when Danone acquired the brand as part of a portfolio transaction; ownership should be verified as further transactions may have occurred).
Mineral composition
| mg/L | |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 468 |
| Magnesium | 75 |
| Sodium | 9 |
| Sulfate | 1121 |
| Chloride | 10 |
| Bicarbonate | 372 |
Compositions can vary by season and source. Read our methodology.
Mineral character
Contrex is among the most heavily mineralised still waters commercially sold in France. Calcium is 468 mg/L, magnesium 74.5 mg/L, sodium 9.4 mg/L, sulphate 1,121 mg/L, chloride 10 mg/L, and bicarbonate 372 mg/L. Hardness is 1,475 mg/L as CaCO₃ and TDS is approximately 2,032 mg/L. The defining characteristic is the extreme sulphate concentration at 1,121 mg/L — the highest among any still water in the TWD database — combined with very high calcium. Despite this intense mineralisation, sodium is very low at 9.4 mg/L. The gypsum evaporite geology of the Vosges is responsible for the calcium-sulphate dominance.
Documented use and context
Contrex has historically been marketed in France as a slimming and digestion aid, positioning its high calcium and magnesium content in that context. The therapeutic reputation of Contrexéville’s waters predates the modern brand and is documented in 18th and 19th-century French spa and medical literature. The current brand’s slimming marketing is a Danone commercial claim, not an independently verified health claim.
Use-case suitability
- CoffeeNot used in any current coffee recipe. Hardness 1475 mg/L is above the 9–266 mg/L range of these targets.
- TeaNot used in any current tea recipe. Hardness 1475 mg/L is above the 37–59 mg/L range of these targets.
- BrewingNot used in any current brewing recipe. Hardness 1475 mg/L is above the 26–922 mg/L range of these targets.
- BakingNot used in any current baking recipe. Hardness 1475 mg/L is above the 46–390 mg/L range of these targets.
- AquariumNot used in any current aquarium recipe. Hardness 1475 mg/L is above the 35–212 mg/L range of these targets.
- HorticultureNot used in any current horticulture recipe. Hardness 1475 mg/L is above the 12–54 mg/L range of these targets.
Where to buy
FR
Carrefour, Leclerc, Auchan, Intermarché, Lidl FR
€0.50-0.70 per litre
CH
Coop CH, Migros
CHF 0.70-0.90 per litre
Available across French supermarkets and in Switzerland. As of March 2026.