Vichy Célestins
Vichy Célestins is sourced from the Célestins spring in the spa town of Vichy, on the banks of the Allier river in the Auvergne region of central France. The spring is named after a Celestinian monastery founded above it in 1410. The thermal springs in the area result from volcanic activity; the water infiltrates through Oligocene-period sedimentary rocks in the Limagne Graben. The spring, the surrounding park, and the building above it are properties of the French state. The Vichy Célestins brand has been owned by the Roxane group (51%) and Otsuka Pharmaceutical (49%) since 2008, when the Castel/Alma group transferred ownership.
Mineral composition
| mg/L | |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 90 |
| Magnesium | 9 |
| Sodium | 1265 |
| Sulfate | 129 |
| Chloride | 227 |
| Bicarbonate | 3245 |
Compositions can vary by season and source. Read our methodology.
Mineral character
Vichy Célestins is by far the most extreme water in the TWD database. Sodium is 1,265 mg/L and bicarbonate is 3,245 mg/L; these two values alone account for the vast majority of its TDS. Calcium is 90 mg/L, magnesium 9 mg/L, sulphate 129 mg/L, and chloride 227 mg/L. Total hardness is 262 mg/L as CaCO₃, but alkalinity is 2,662 mg/L as CaCO₃, which is roughly ten times its hardness (an unusual ratio driven entirely by the sodium bicarbonate load). For blending, this water is essentially a concentrated sodium bicarbonate solution with some calcium. Extremely small quantities can shift a blend’s alkalinity significantly.
Use-case suitability
- CoffeeNot used in any current coffee recipe, but hardness 262 mg/L sits within the 9–266 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- TeaNot used in any current tea recipe. Hardness 262 mg/L is above the 37–59 mg/L range of these targets.
- BrewingNot used in any current brewing recipe, but hardness 262 mg/L sits within the 26–922 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- BakingNot used in any current baking recipe, but hardness 262 mg/L sits within the 46–390 mg/L range typical for these targets.
- AquariumNot used in any current aquarium recipe. Hardness 262 mg/L is above the 35–212 mg/L range of these targets.
- HorticultureNot used in any current horticulture recipe. Hardness 262 mg/L is above the 12–54 mg/L range of these targets.
Where to buy
FR
Carrefour, Leclerc, Auchan, Intermarché
€0.50-0.70 per litre
Vichy Célestins is widely available in France at Carrefour, Leclerc, Auchan, and Intermarché at approximately €0.80–1.20 (as of March 2026). UK availability is limited; it can be found at some specialist food shops and online retailers, but is not stocked by major UK supermarkets. Sold as sparkling in 1.15 L PET bottles.