The thermal baths
Hot water-play baths and activities all year round, and three spa establishments: the Couloubret, the Modèle and the Teich.
Thermal heritage
The Bassin des Ladres: feet in hot water, right in the centre of Ax-les-Thermes
A 77 °C thermal-water pool in the heart of the town, where you dip your feet with the church in the background. It is the place everyone is shown first in Ax-les-Thermes.
- Spring temperature77 °C
- Leper hospital founded in1260
- Historic monument since1979
- From the apartment5 km
The basin
A thermal footbath in the town centre
The Bassin des Ladres is a thermal hot-water pool, set right in the centre of Ax-les-Thermes. You dip your feet in it, with the church in the background: a simple break after a day of skiing, hiking or strolling around town.
The springs that feed it come out of the ground at 77 °C. The town is built on more than sixty springs, whose temperatures range from 18 to 78 °C. The water is rich in sulphur: its smell is part of the town.
History
A leper hospital next to the basin
Its history goes back to the Middle Ages. In 1260, on the orders of Saint Louis, Count Roger IV had a leper hospital built next to the basin to treat crusaders returning from the Holy Land. The word “ladre” then meant lepers.
The Bassin des Ladres has been listed as a historic monument since 1979.
Around the basin
To see and do close by
Fountains and café terraces
Among the town’s fountains, the best known is the cannon fountain. Cafés, restaurants, cinema and casino are nearby.
Ax-les-Thermes
A small town of about 1,300 inhabitants, at the crossroads of three valleys.
Discover the townQuestions
About the Bassin des Ladres
Can you bathe in the Bassin des Ladres?
No: it is a footbath. You dip your feet in the hot thermal water, in the centre of Ax-les-Thermes.
What is the water temperature?
The springs that feed the basin come out of the ground at 77 °C. In Ax-les-Thermes, the town’s more than sixty springs range from 18 to 78 °C.
Why “Ladres”?
The name recalls the leper hospital built next to the basin in 1260, on the orders of Saint Louis, to treat crusaders returning from the Holy Land who had leprosy: lepers were called “ladres”.
How far is it from the accommodation?
The basin is in the centre of Ax-les-Thermes, about 5 km from the Ignaux apartment.
For opening times and access conditions to the baths and treatments, ask the Ax-les-Thermes tourist office.
Book
A stay 5 km from the Bassin des Ladres?
Rates and availability are shown live on the Airbnb listing. A question before booking? You can ask it there too.