A nice hot tub: spas in the pyrénées!

It is nearly February half term and you are planning your holidays away: here you are, you have chosen your ski-resort! Now it’s time to organise your après-ski activities, so why not try relaxing in the hot water spas of the Pyrenees? At the bottom of the slopes, in the heart of the high mountains villages or in dedicated health resorts, a nice hot tub is waiting for you...Relaxation and health benefits guaranteed!

Treatments and relaxations, in the spas and thermal towns of the Pyrenees

The spas and the seaside villages built around them are not there just because of the beautiful landscapes! The mineral properties in the water have therapeutic value and immersion in thermal spring water of a balneo centre, is good for the mind and body. In some circumstances for French tax payers, "thermal health cures", where the health condition of the patient can be improved by the spring waters and the surrounding climatic conditions, can be paid for by the French social security. In the mid mountain resorts, the air surrounding the Pyrenees’ spas is very healthy: the oxygen content is lower and to rebalance the system, our body produces more red blood cells. For children, older people, and everybody in general, the mountain air is a real immunity booster!

The health and seaside resorts in the Pyrenees

There are nine spa/treatment resorts in the department of the Hautes Pyrénées:

Bagnères-de-Bigorre
Capvern-les-Bains
Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Argelès-Gazost
Barèges
Cauterets
Saint-Lary Soulan
Loudenvielle
Beaucens

In Haute Garonne, you can enjoy the spas at:

Bagnères-de-Luchon
Salies-du-Salat

In Ariège, the spas are near or in the towns of:

Aulus-les-Bains
Ussat-les-Bains
Ax-les-Thermes

These places offer different treatments, for a health cure stay (prescribed by your GP); for few hours of relaxation with treatments such as massages, water jets, special treatment baths and others...; or simply for recreation with friends and family.

Choose your health cure or your leisure centre

Choose your health resort depending on the condition you suffer from. Don’t forget that the waters have holistic properties, they treat the whole body; even if they are more suited to some diseases or issues. You can also go in a health resort simply for the pleasure of relaxing in a beautiful setting.

Are you stressed? Do you need to relax and get a good nights sleep? Go to the spas of Ussat-les-Bains in Ariège where the water is full of magnesium.

Do you have respiratory issues? ENT issues? Do your children suffer from bronchitis or chronic otitis? Unwind and relax in Bagnères-de-Luchon in Haute Garonne, the sulphuric waters of the health resort relieves respiratory conditions and also rheumatism.

Do you suffer from problems with you blood circulation? Do you have heavy legs symptoms? Prepare few days of health cure in Luz-Saint-Sauveur in Hautes Pyrénées.

Do you suffer from kidney problems or from metabolic issues? Go to the spas of Capvern-les-Bains in Hautes Pyrénées, where the waters, being rich in calcium and magnesium, have diuretic virtues.

Are you looking for a fun family day out, or a relaxing day with your friends? Head to the Bains du Couloubret in Ax-les-Thermes, or the beautiful Aquensis centre in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, which has a 300m2 pool, steam room, sauna, and hot tub...all accessible for whole the family and from 5 years old. This list is non exhaustive so check out our guide to all the thermal towns in the Pyrenees.

A unique place for all the family: Balnéa

Balnéa is a beautiful thermo-recreational centre with 4 distinct areas, located in Loudenvielle, close to the resort of Saint-Lary Soulan. It is a ‘must do’ and see in the region!

The advantage of Balnéa is the possibility of a family day out with children from 9 months old. Families have a very large indoor and also outdoor area, the "Amérindien", dotted with cascades, massage jets, hot tub and counter-current swimming area, the Inca area which overlooks the mountains, the snow and frozen exterior is fantastic during winter!

Adults can relax like the Romans, in a beautiful space (separated from the others and completely different), all in stone and wood, with cascades, a wooden dome with music and in different small areas: the Caldarium at 36°, alternately with the Frigidarium at 14° and the Tépidarium (hot tub), beside the steam room with its mosaics...

For a Japanese theme, go to the outdoor areas, an adventure which increases in temperature, gradually... 33°, 37°, then 40°, to appreciate the beautiful mountains of the Pyrenees, my favourite bath...! There is also a solarium, a Nordic sauna, and massage rooms.