Bernard Riac, in the large hydrotherapy tub, Success Story

For Bernard Riac, the 1^um next April, no laughing fish hanging from your back. Unless a joke from one of his nephews. Above all, the founder and president of the ValVital group, the son of a soldier, will mobilize the opening to the public of the thermal center of Nancy her latest “baby”.

More than 100 million euros will have been invested in this operation launched in 2018. In the end, the one million annual presences foreseen by this complex – swimming pools, thermoludism, high-level spas, thermal treatments, hotel residences and restaurants – it is expected to represent 240 full-time equivalent jobs and generate a turnover of €24 million. This will make this set the largest of its kind in France and the only one located in the heart of a metropolis, its creator announced on Wednesday 18 January.

2023 will also see three more centers join the group: Saint-Lary-Soulan and Vernet-les-Bains, in the Pyrenees, as well as a high-altitude spa at Hérémence, in the Swiss Valais. . Finally, an operation to promote ValVital dermo-cosmetic products will have the aim of making the brand known outside the centres. The group, with 15 establishments, expects 62,000 spa guests, 900 full-time equivalents and a turnover of 58 million euros in 2023. Enough to further consolidate its position as number two in the sector behind the Thermal Chain of the Sun (CTS).

From backhoe loaders to spa treatments

For Bernard Riac, sixty years old this year, the thermal entrepreneurial adventure began in 1986. At the age of 33, after a career in marketing – at the Forges d’Allevard then at the backhoe loader specialist JCB – nothing has predisposed this chemical engineer holding an MBA from HEC to pursue this profession. Only that his family is from Lamalou-les-Bains. And when his father, deputy mayor, tells him about the finalization of the acquisition of the concession for the thermal establishment of this municipality in the Haut-Languedoc, he is interested in the file. The opportunity to meet Adrien Barthélémy, the founder of the CTS who integrates him into his marketing team. A superb observatory to know everything about this sector.

In 1989 he created his own consultancy company, working in particular for the Pierre Fabre group for the relaunch of the Avène brand. But the real turning point came in 1991 with the acquisition of the Lons-le-Saunier spa, in the heart of the Jura, his first “deal”. From then on, the virus won’t let him go.

“I have always wanted to bring well-being to people and hydrotherapy is a good way,” assures Bernard Riac who – cobblers are not always the worst shod – also takes care of his shape. “I discovered rowing ten years ago. It’s a sport physical, but well balanced requiring very precise movement and good coordination when paddling with others. The most important thing is to know how to get the boat through the water. I understood all this rowing with the world champions. A great managerial metaphor.

The hunter’s instinct

Today the ValVital boat is well owned by the founder and controlled by the family. His wife Catherine is DSI. His son Roman is regional manager and a general manager from the retail sector – Geoffroy Rivet – has been hired for operations.

Enlightened amateur and collector of the first arts, passionate about architecture, Bernard Riac does not expect to abandon the oars of ValVital for the sole benefit of these violins by Ingres. He is the direct manager of the Nancy project and looks at all the opportunities in a sector with a hundred plants in France, saying he is also ready to assist in the arrival of a minority fund. “It’s true, I still want to continue, the hunter’s instinct is intact”, smiles Bernard Riac. Retirement will wait.