EVIAN-LES-BAINS

spa and tourist resort, Haute-Savoie dpartement, Rhne-Alpes region, eastern France, on the southern shore of Lake Geneva, opposite Lausanne on the Swiss shore of the lake. Lying below the lowest Alpine spurs, it has a mild climate. The spa buildings, the new htel de ville (town hall), and the casino form the centre of the town. National and international congresses are held in the Palais des Festivits. The town, which is well equipped with large hotels, specializes in lakeside health resorts (for urinary and renal ailments). Until the 19th century vian had been variously called Aquianum, Vian, Les Vians, and vians. Its mineral waters, which are bottled for export throughout the world, began to achieve fame early in the 18th century. The first spa buildings were opened in 1839. In 1962 a cease-fire agreement between the French government and the provisional government of Algeria was concluded at vian. Pop. (1990) 6,895.