This 1911 original railway poster by Géo Dorival promotes the spa town of Royat in Auvergne, issued for the Chemin de fer d’Orléans to encourage travel to one of France’s celebrated thermal destinations. Created at the height of the golden age of railway advertising, the poster combines picturesque landscape imagery with architectural views to highlight both the region’s heritage and its health-giving waters.
The composition contrasts the imposing medieval tower overlooking Royat with a refined depiction of the thermal establishment below, surrounded by landscaped gardens and elegant visitors. This juxtaposition evokes both historical charm and modern comfort — a key theme in early twentieth-century tourism promotion. Dorival’s strong graphic framing, luminous sky tones, and stylised architectural rendering reflect the decorative poster style popular in Belle Époque travel advertising.
Royat was widely known for its mineral springs, attracting visitors seeking therapeutic treatments as well as leisure travel. Railway companies played a crucial role in developing spa tourism, and posters such as this helped position thermal resorts as accessible, fashionable destinations.
Today, this poster stands as an evocative example of pre-First World War French travel graphics, capturing the intersection of health tourism, regional identity, and the expanding influence of railway networks in shaping modern leisure travel.
Original Poster
Railway - Tourism - Puy-de-Dôme - France
Printed by Cornille & Serre in Paris
Good condition, minor restorations
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