Things to See in the Languedoc:   Springs and Spas

Click here for drinking water from natural springs

Tectonc activity under the Pyrenees causes subterrannean water to be heated. If it surfaces it appears to us as natural hot springs. Spa towns and health resorts are often sited around such springs. Many such places in the Languedoc been popular holiday resorts for generations.

Here are some of the main ones in the Languedoc:

• Summary of Springs and Spas in and around the Languedoc-Roussillon
• Details of Thermal Spas in and around the Languedoc-Roussillon
• Details of Natural Hot Springs in and around the Languedoc-Roussillon
• Some Photos of Spas and Hot Springs in and around the Languedoc-Roussillon

Summary of Springs and Spas in and around the Languedoc-Roussillon

La Chaldette.  Hydrotherapy and climatotherapy centre (altitude 1000 metres).  

Sainte-Odile d'Avène.  The waters have soothing properties and are used in the treatment of skin diseases.

Avene les Bains.  Hydrotherapy resort.

Alet les Bains.  Thermal spa.   waters are used to treat ailments of the digestive and metabolic systems. Click here for more about Alet-les-Bains

Le Boulou.  Hydrotherapy and climatotherapy resort at the foot of the Albères hills. digestive and cardiovascular disorders.

La Preste les Bains.  A thermal spa in a fortified village,

Balaruc les Bains.   Hydrotherapy and balneotherapy resort in a pretty village, treating rheumatic symptoms.

Moltig les Bains.   A lake-side hydrotherapy centre. It treats respiratory, rheumatic and skin disorders.

Vernet les Bains.   Thermal spa in a picturesque village. It offers treatment for rheumatic and respiratory disorders.

Bagnols les Bains.  The waters are used to treat respiratory and rheumatic symptoms.

Lamalou les Bains.   Hydrotherapy and climatotherapy resort. Rheumatism, after-effects of injury, and neurological complaints.

Rennes les Bains.   A thermal spa since Roman times. The waters are used in the treatment of rheumatic symptoms. Click on the following link for more on Rennes-les-Bains.

Amélie les Bains.   Hydrotherapy resort. 20 springs provide treatment for rheumatic and respiratory ailments.

Allegre les Fumades.   Hydrotherapy and health resort.   specialist centre for treating respiratory and skin disorders.

Bains de Saint Thomas.   The six hot springs which emerge at Saint Thomas are among the hottest sulphurous waters

Bains de Dorres.   sulphurous water at a temperature of 42°C.   Open-air Romans granite baths.

Bains de Llo.   Hot sulphurous water.

Bains de Llo.   Hot sulphurous water.

Bains de Dorres. In the Cerdagne. Natural hot water (38° C)

Details of Thermal Spas in and around the Languedoc-Roussillon

La Chaldette.   Hydrotherapy and climatotherapy centre (altitude 1000 metres).   Offers health and fitness holidays and half-day sessions.   Relaxation, slimming and anti-stress therapies.   The water, at a temperature of 35°C, contains bicarbonate and sodium.   It has sedative and decongestant properties suitable for treating disorders of the respiratory system and intestines.

For information contact:
Spa,
Tel: 33 (0)4 66 31 68 00,
Website: http://www.chaldette.com/

Sainte-Odile d'Avène.   The waters of the Sainte-Odile d'Avène spring have soothing properties and are used in the treatment of skin diseases.

For information contact:
Tourist Office,
Le village, 34260 Avène,
Tel: 33 (0)4 67 23 43 38,
Website: http://www.avene-orb.com/

Avene les Bains.   Hydrotherapy resort in the Valley of the River Orb, close to the lake and village of Ceilhes-et-Rocozels, between the mountains of Espinouse and Escandorgue.

Alet les Bains.   (Aude département)   Thermal spa.   The spring waters are used to treat ailments of the digestive and metabolic systems. Cold spring water is bottled and sold commercially.

Things to see locally:

• the medieval fortified cité of Alet. Click here for more on the town of Alet-les-Bains
• the ancient Benedictine abbey / cathedral Click here for more on the Abbey at Alet-les-Bains
• the Château of the dukes of Joyeuse at Couiza

For information contact:
Tourist Office,
Avenue Nicolas Pavillon,
11580 Alet les Bains,
Tel: 33 (0)4 68 69 93 56

Le Boulou.  20 Km south-south-west of Perpignan, altitude 80 m. Hydrotherapy and climatotherapy resort at the foot of the Albères hills. The hot waters are used to treat digestive and cardiovascular disorders.< Things to see locally:

• the white marble portal of the church of Notre-Dame d'El Voló, attributed to the Maître de Cabestany.
• the nearbypeaks of Néoulous and the 3 Termes;
• the Via Domitia discovery trail.

For information contact:
Spa,
Tel: 33 (0)4 68 87 52 00,

Tourist Office,
1, rue du Château
BP 1- 66162 Le Boulou Cedex
Tel: 33 (0)4 68 87 50 95,
Mail: contact@tourisme-leboulou.fr
Website: http://www.tourisme-leboulou.fr

La Preste les Bains.  Haute Vallée du Tech, 52 Km south-west of Perpignan, altitude 1130 m. A thermal spa in a fortified village, about 4 miles from Prats-de-Mollo. It treats disorders of the digestive and metabolic systems.

For information contact:
Spa,
Tel: 33 (0)4 68 87 55 00
Tourist Office:
Tel: 33 (0)4 68 39 70 83,
Website: http://www.pratsdemollolapreste.com/

Balaruc les Bains.   (Hérault Département)   a hydrotherapy and balneotherapy resort in a pretty village. It specialises in the treatment of rheumatic symptoms.

Things to see locally:

• the 18th century Sévigné Pavilion.
• the 'Festival of the Voice' in July.
• Balaruc-le-Vieux, a nearby 'circular' Languedoc village;
• the Saint Félix de Montceau Abbey in the nearby medieval village of Gigean

For information contact:
Spa:
Tel: 33 (0)4 67 51 76 01

Tourist Office:
Pavillon Sévigné,
34540 Balaruc-les-Bains,
Tel: 33 (0)4 67 46 81 46,
Website: http://www.balaruc-les-bains.com/

Moltig les Bains.   A lake-side hydrotherapy centre in the Vallée de la Castellane, 40 Km west of Perpignan, altitude 450 m. It treats respiratory, rheumatic and skin disorders.

For information contact:
Tourist Office,
Route des Bains,
66500 Molitg-les-Bains,
Tel: 33 (0)4 68 05 03 28,

Vernet les Bains.  in the Vallée du Cady, 50 km west of Perpignan, altitude 700 m. Thermal spa in a picturesque village. It offers treatment for rheumatic and respiratory disorders.

For information contact:
Tourist Office,
Place de l'ancienne mairie,
66820 Vernet les Bains,
Tel: 33 (0)4 68 05 55 35,
Website: http://www.ot-vernet-les-bains.fr/

Bagnols les Bains.   At the foot of Mont Lozère at an altitude of 900 metres, 15 miles from Mende. Its therapeutic waters gush from the mountainside at a temperature of 41.5°C. Sulphurous, rich in fluorine, mineral salts and rare gasses, the waters are used to treat respiratory and rheumatic symptoms. The spa also has an outdoor cold spring which has diuretic properties and aids the digestive system.

Things to see locally:

• the medieval castle at nearby Saint-Julien-de-Tournel
• the Romanesque church at nearby Saint-Julien-de-Tournel

For information contact:
Spa:
Tel: 33 (0)4 66 47 60 02,
Website: http://www.bagnols-les-bains.com/

Tourist Office:
Place de la mairie,
48190 Bagnols les Bains,
Tel: 33 (0)4 66 47 61 13

Lamalou les Bains.   (Hérault Département)   Hydrotherapy and climatotherapy resort located at the foot of the Caroux and Espinouse mountains. The waters are rich in sodium and calcium bicarbonates, with metallic trace elements. The spa specialises in treating aches and pains caused by rheumatism or the after effects of injury, and neurological complaints. It will provide treatment for both types of symptom in its 'double handicap' package.

Things to see locally:

• the Priory of Saint Pierre de Rhèdes
• the church of Notre Dame de Capimont
• Saint Gervais sur Mare
• the Hérépian Bell Foundry, which specialises in making small bells for doors, cows and goats
• the Héric gorge
• the nearby village of Mons la Trivalle
• the operetta festival held in summer

For information contact:
Tourist Office,
1 avenue Capus,
34230 Lamalou les Bains,
Tel: 33 (0)4 67 95 70 91,
E-mail: omt.lamalou@wanadoo.fr,
Website: http://www.ot-lamaloulesbains.fr/

Rennes les Bains.   (Aude département)   A thermal spa since Roman times, made famous by Blanche de Castille.   The hot sulphurous waters are rich in calcium and chlorine and are used in the treatment of rheumatic symptoms.

Things to see locally:

• naturally heated swimming pool
• archaeological museum with relics and objects from the Roman baths (2nd and 1st century BC)
• Rennes-le-Château, a sister town
• various sites associated with the Rennes-le-Château mytery

Click here for more on Rennes-les-Bains

For information contact:
Tourist Office,
Grand Rue des Thermes,
11190 Rennes les Bains,
Tel: 33 (0)4 68 69 88 04

Amélie les Bains.   Vallée du Tech, 33 Km south-west of Perpignan, (Pyrénées-Orientales Département)   Hydrotherapy resortin the Tech Valley on the southernmost slopes of the Canigou mountains (at an altitude of 230 metres). Around 20 springs provide treatment for rheumatic and respiratory ailments.

Things to see locally:

• museum of the Post Office
• international folklore festival in August

For information contact:
Spa,
Tel: 33 (0)4 68 87 99 00

Tourist Office:
22, avenue du Vallespir,
66112 Amélie les Bains,
Tel: 33 (0) 4 68 39 01 98,
Website: http://www.amelie-les-bains.com/

Allegre les Fumades.   Hydrotherapy and health resort.   The cold waters are rich in sulfur, bicarbonates and calcites, making this a specialist centre for treating respiratory and skin disorders.

For information contact:
Spa:
Tel: 33 (0)4 66 54 08 08,  

Tourist Office:
30500 Les-Fumades-les-Bains,
Tel: 33 (0)4 66 24 80 24,
e-mail: mailto: les-fumades@fr.st,
Website: http://www.les-fumades.com/

Details of Natural Hot Springs in and around the Languedoc-Roussillon

Bains de Saint Thomas.   At fontpedrouse, located close to Font-Romeu in the Cerdagne.   The six hot springs which emerge at Saint Thomas are among the hottest sulphurous waters of the Têt Valley.   There are three outside basins; water emerges at 36°C in summer and 38°C in winter.

For information contact:
Bains de Saint Thomas,
66360 Fontpédrouse,
Tel: 33(0)4 68 97 03 13,
e-mail: bains.de.saint.thomas@wanadoo.fr,
Website: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/saint-thomas

Bains de Dorres.   Located near the village, about 10 miles from Font-Romeu in the Cerdagne.   The famous 'bains de Dorres' allow you to bathe in sulphurous water at a temperature of 42°C.   Open-air Roman granite baths.

For information contact:
Bains de Dorres,
66800 Dorres,
Tel: 33(0)4 68 04 66 87

Bains de Llo.   Hot sulphurous water, about 25 km from Font-Romeu in the Cerdagne.   One open air basin with water at 31°C (Jacuzzi and swimming against the current) and one covered basin at 30°C.

For information contact:
Bains de Llo,
66800 Llo,
Tel: 33 (0)4 68 04 74 55,
Website: http://lesbainsde.llo.free.fr/

Bains de Dorres.   Hot water fed from a thermal spring at around 40° at the bottom of the village of Dorres in the Pyrenees at an altitude of 1450 m. it lies in the Cerdagne, a vaste plateau borered to the south by la chaîne du Puigmal (2910 m), to the north by la chaîne du Carlit (2921 m). to the East it is connected to the Mediterranean Sea by the valley of the Têt river, rising at the foot of Mount Carlit. To the West is la Seu d'Urgell (Spain) and Andorra linked by the valley of the Sègre which rises on the sides of Mount Puigmal. Health establishments wre developed in the Cerdagne because of its pure dry mountain air (good for asthma), sunlight (héliothérapie), and the thermal spring water of the Escaldes. Other attractions include local stone working and a history stretching from prehistoric times to the Resistance during the Second World War (le "Groupe de Dorres".

Website: http://www.bains-de-dorres.com/

Some Photos of Spas and Hot Springs in and around the Languedoc-Roussillon

Bains de Dorres - Abreuvoir		Bains de Dorres - in winter

Bains de Dorres		Bains de Dorres - Cerdagne

Bains de Dorres - Capelle Belloc		Bains de Dorres - Dolmen Brangoli

Bains de Dorres - Hotel		Bains de Dorres

Bains de Dorres - Baroque Retable		Bains de Dorres - le Train Jaune