The Galerie Napoléon is the last vestige of the former 2nd and 3rd class baths built by Charles Badger in 1858 on the site of the former monastery of the Capuchin Friars.
The construction of these new baths, imposed by the 1853 concession agreement, had become necessary due to the increasing number of visitors to the first baths, located on the site of the Hall of Springs. Its layout, modelled on that of its neighbour, consisted of a rectangle measuring 67 metres by 62, with two buildings in the form of a cross delimiting four courtyards, designed to enhance cubicle lighting and ventilation. In all, it contained 157 baths and 16 shower cubicles.
No longer needed following the construction of the Callou Baths, the building was mostly demolished during the winter of 1932-33 to clear the way for the main façade of the Grand Thermal Baths. The preserved part of the building was renamed Galerie Napoléon.
Converted into a rest area for spa-goers, it also hosted exhibitions, concerts, congresses, conferences and even fencing tournaments.
