Dorres Roman SPA Baths (Les Bains de Dorres), Cerdanya plateau, Pyrenees, France

Dorres Roman SPA Baths (Les Bains de Dorres), Cerdanya plateau, Pyrenees, France

The Dorres Roman baths (Les Bains de Dorres) are located on the site of a hot spring (40 ° Celsius), which flows from the foot of the Dorres village. The picturesque village is located in the French Pyrenees at an altitude of 1450 m, on the Cerdanya plateau. This is a historic area in the Pyrenees on the border of Spain and France. In addition to alpine skiing, Cerdanya is interesting for its history, ancient small towns, landscapes and historical and geographical casus in the form of a Spanish enclave on French territory.

The plateau borders the Puigmal ridge (2,910 m high) in the south, and in the north with the Carlit ridge (2,921 m high). To the East of Cerdanya, through a valley called Tet (Têt) it borders the Mediterranean Sea. In the west – through the Segre Valley (Sègre), the plateau borders the Spanish city of La Seu D’Urgell and Andorra.

Cerdanya has a special microclimate – it experiences many sunny days at any time of the year and especially dry air. Therefore, patients with asthma, people suffering from respiratory diseases, as well as those who wish to undergo heliotherapy and who are shown treatment with thermal waters come here for rehabilitation.

The existence of baths has been proven since Roman times, as evidenced by the ancient ruins near the source. The village of Dorres is also known for the development of granite. In 1841, the first wash bowl was cut out of granite, which was used for bathing. Previously, hot sulfur water was also used to wash sheep’s wool.

It is known that during the war of 1939-1945, French resistance troops were stationed in the village.

After the war, for a long time, the baths were freely available. Only in 1991, new granite baths and a wash basin were built, and the space was fenced off.

Today the local municipality manages the SPA baths.

Thermal springs are rich in hydrogen sulfide and minerals. Their temperature is from 37 ° C to 40 ° C, and it does not change during the year.

Source water analysis conducted by Madame Lucette Martinaggi-Germa in her book “Dorres, Granite et Eau”, issue 2007.

Hydrogen sulfide 1.38.10-4 mol / l
Chlorine 17.50.10-4 mol / l
Sodium 16.90.10-4 mol / liter
Potassium 0,29,10-4 mol / l
Calcium 0,92,10-4 mol / l
Lithium 0.05,10-4 mol / l
Hydrogen nitrogen 1,54,10-4 mol / l
Tin 1,10,10-6 mol / l
Arsenic 5.80.10-7 mol / l
Rubidium 1.30.10-7 mol / l
Tungsten 1,90,10-7 mol / l
Kazium 5,00,10-8 mol / l
Iron 6,50,10-8 mol / l
Magnesium 6,50,10-8 mol / l
Strontium 8,60,10-8 mol / l
Chrome 5.80.10-9 mol / liter
Zinc 8.50.10-9 mol / liter
Antimony 7.80.10-10 mol / liter
Silver 2,30,10-10 mol / l
Cobalt 1,90,10-10 mol / l
Manganese 1.40.10-11 mol / liter
Scandium 8.10.10-12 mol / liter
Consumption: 5 liters / s.

Dorres Roman SPA baths – a skiers’ favorite place to come after skiing to relax and rest.

Opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 19:30.

From mid-November to early December, the baths are closed for a maintenance to be carried out.

The price as of 01/01/2018 is € 5.

Here you can have a wellness massage (Californian massage, shiatsu and Korean relaxing massage) outdoors – in the sundial.

What to do in the area

The Roman baths of Dorres and the baths of Llo (30 minutes by D618, D30, N116, D33) are a great addition for hiking lovers, mountain bike lovers and cyclists: here you can find a huge selection of routes.

The mountain lakes in the Carlit massif is a great place for fishing.

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Miglos castle (Château de Miglos) in French Ariege became one of the strongholds of the Roman Church during the war with the Cathars

On a hill 750 meters high, inaccessible from all sides except the south towards the village of Arkizat, there are the impressive ruins of the medieval castle of Château de Miglos guarding the valley of Vicdessos (vallée de Vicdessos) and protecting access to the valley of Miglos.

Today Vicdessos is a small village with 620 inhabitants that lies between 600 and 1500 meters and covers almost 600 hectares in the Regional Natural Park of the Pyrenees.

The first mention of the castle was made in 1159. Later, the castle, which belonged to the family of Miglos, became one of the strongholds of the Roman Church during the war with the Cathars. The main function of the castle is to protect the neighborhood of Foix (together with le château de Montréal de Sos, Olbier). Among the “allies” of the castle of Miglos on the side of Tarascon were also the Castles Quie and Genat (les châteaux de Quié et Génat).

For some reason (perhaps due to belonging to the Qatari heresy), the Miglos family lost the castle to the Ussons’ family. Then the castle changed ownership several times over several centuries. It belonged consistently to the families of Rabat, Arnave, Léon, Louvie, Béon, Goth, Montaut.

In 1789, Jean-Louis de Montaut became Baron Miglos.

Presumably in late August 1792, the castle was burned after the events caused by the French Revolution. The baron’s family left the castle in ruins and settled in a large house located next to the village d’Arquizat, which later became a farm.

The area on which the castle was built is about 100 meters long and 30 meters wide. The main building material of the castle, as well as all the buildings of the Middle Ages, was limestone.

Recent research, however, identified another building material – fish bones.

In 1987, “The Association of friends of the castle Miglos” was created. In 1991, the works for its restoration began. Currently, the castle is an object that is protected under the “Historical Monuments”.

Every year in September, the castle participates in the “Heritage Days”. This year there was a presentation of the film “Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of the Miglos Castle,” in which layouts, topographic surveys, ancient engravings and 3D modeling were used.

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The castle of Lordat (le château de Lordat) is one of the oldest and largest feudal castles in the county of Foix

The castle of Lordat (le château de Lordat), located in the municipality of Lordat (Ariège department) is one of the oldest and largest feudal castles in the county of Foix. This is a classic example of Pyrenean medieval military architecture.

At the foot of the castle lies the village of Lordat (altitude about 900 m above sea level) – it borders the canton (administrative-territorial unit in the district, covering several communes) Les Cabannes.

The number of inhabitants of the village in 2017 was 45 people. There are 17 residential houses, 28 residences and the complete absence of abandoned or empty houses in the village.

The castle is one of the most interesting places in Ariège due to its strategic location and width of the walls. The northern wall is a continuation of the cliff, at a height of 50 m. The walls of the main four-story tower are the thickest compared to the other walls of the castle.

The construction of the castle probably dates from the 9th-10th centuries. The first mention of the castle was made in 1034 – when Bernard, Count of Carcassonne, presented it to his son Roger, the first Count of Foix. Initially, the county of Foix was a senoria (a collection of land plots with land ownership, collection of duties, and tax payments) in the county of Carcassonne.

Roger died childless around 1064, after which the castle passed to the third of his brother’s sons, Bernard I Roger, Pierre Bernard.

It is known that in 1244 the castle was captured by the Cathars during the Crusade. At the end of the XIII century, the castle passed into the hands of the King of Aragon, who demanded its destruction. The castle fell into ruins, but the entrance, protected by a tower, retained its original appearance.

On September 8, 1923, the castle was included in the list of historical monuments of France.

After a long renovation, on June 4, 2016, the castle was opened to the public.

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The city of Ax-les-Thermes: the skiing & SPA center of Ariege department, French Pyrenees

Ax-les-Thermes is a city in the south of France (Ariege department, French Pyrenees), located at an altitude of 720-740 m above sea level. The population of the city in 2015 was 1,230 people.

The city is located at the intersection of three valleys – La vallée de la Lauze, l’Oriège and l’Ariège. This location makes it ideal for hiking – both in winter and summer.

At 3.5 km from the city there is a small lake (lac de Campauleil) or, as it is also called, Lake d’Orgeix, with a small dam on the River d’Orgeix (height 814 m above level). The Orgeix castle was built here (château d’Orgeix). It belonged to a family of marquis by the name of Thonel d’Orgeix, who owned the lands around Ax. According to a legend, the head of the family, Jean-François Joseph de Thonel d’Orgeix received the title of Marquis in 1817. After that, the construction of the castle began, which was carried out in several stages on the site of an old forge (it was owned by the ancestors of the Tonel de Orzhey family). There are 40 rooms in the castle, and balls and masquerades were often held there.

The only heir to the castle, the last (fifth) Marquis Jean de Orzhey, was a passionate man and a great adventurer. He won the bronze medal at the Olympic Games in London in 1948, was known in French cinema under the pseudonym Jean Pâqui, as well as the pilot who drove vintage cars. In 2006, at the age of 85, he died in a car accident. Soon after, the castle became the property of the state.

In 2013, the French national energy company EDF began to build a dam on the lake. Because of this, the lake, in which trout and perch were once found, was drained and fishing stopped.

However, it is worth returning back to the city of Ax-les-Thermes. In the 1900s, in connection with the construction of the railway, this city became a real tourist destination. Why? There are several reasons for this.

Sights and  what to see

In 1956, a ski resort was opened here covering about 75 km of slopes (red and mostly black). There are three ski areas in Ax: the first mainly contains beginners slopes, the second is the zone for children (at the very bottom and at the very top). And, finally, a zone for free-riders.

The lifts in Ax-les-Thermes operate all year round and allow you to do mountain biking in spring, summer and autumn. In addition, for hikers and lovers of hiking, new mountain routes opened in 2017.

For lovers of summer sports: near the city center there are several tennis courts and mini golf centres.

However, the main attraction of the city is its hot springs; the hottest spa in the Pyrenees. The temperature of the sources reach 76-78 degrees Celsius. They are rich in silicon dioxide, sodium and especially hydrogen sulfide. Sulfur produces a peculiar and distinctive odor.

The natural temperature is a very important characteristic in terms of anti-bactericidal properties. This water can burn. The water is absolutely natural, therefore it is 100% curative. It is recommended for patients with sciatica, rheumatism and some respiratory tract infections. It has zero bacteria. And the composition of the water has not changed for many centuries.

According to the established tradition, every year on the day of San Joan (the celebration of the summer solstice), tourists come to Ax-les-Thermes to take a hydrogen sulfide bath amid burning torches.

These natural water sources were known about even in Gallo-Roman times. The King of Louis IX during the Crusade decided to create a hospital here to treat lepers disease. In 1260, with the blessing of Louis IX, Roger IV de Foix, count of Foix, built the Ladrov pool (Bassin des Ladres) near the hospital of Saint Louis for this purpose.

Until the mid-18th century, Ax-les-Thermes’ spa or Barry des Bains was concentrated around Bassin des Ladres. It was located next to the hospital and the adjoining chapel called “Notre Dame du Bain” (Notre Dame du Bain).

For centuries, thermal water was widely used for scalding pigs, preparing hot dishes, and even brewing coffee (when boiled, the unpleasant smell of the water disappears).

Natural parks

Next to Ax-les-Thermes is the 708.32 hectare state forest park. This is a natural area of ecological, faunistic and floristic interest (Zone naturelle d’intérêt écologique, faunistique et floristique, ZNIEFF). You can spot wild boars, marmots and martens, the bearded man (a bird from the family of hawks), wood grouse and black woodpeckers.

Less than 10 km from Ax-les-Thermes is the national park of Orlu, which covers an area of 4000 hectares. The wood-grouse, the golden eagle and the gray partridge are found here.

Architecture and city attractions

The highlight of Ax-les-Thermes is the presence of fountains with thermal water – for example, the Fontaine des Neiges, Coustou, Couzillou, Canon, and the pool Le Bassin de L’Axéenne. In essence, these are big foot baths. They opened in 2016 at Place Saint-Jérôme, next to the Saint-Jérôme d’Ax-les-Thermes church and face the main shopping street and are intended for the general public.

A few words about the church. The first stone was laid on April 24, 1607 – in the year of the foundation of the brotherhood of the blue penitent sinners. The brotherhood of repentant sinners arose in Genoa in the fourteenth century. A century later, they appeared in the cities of Provence. Brotherhoods united Catholic parishioners, who differed in the color of their robes, depending on their responsibilities. The clothes were a robe with a hood and a belt. White clothes were worn by those who cared for the sick, black ones by those who were engaged in burial, the red ones were worn by those who looked after orphans, and blue ones by those who welcomed travelers, prisoners and tried to free slaves.

The church of Saint-Jérôme was built in a part of the city, destroyed by a violent fire in 1586. The construction was funded by donations. It was consecrated on the day of St. Vincent, the patron saint of the city, on January 22, 1608. In 1705, 1831, 1906 and 1907, the building was renovated and has a rectangular shape. Since 1990, the chapel serves as a venue for exhibitions.

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History of France: the city of Foix and Henry IV (Navarre) – the future king of France and the founder of the Bourbon dynasty

History of France: the city of Foix and Henry IV (Navarre) – the future king of France and the founder of the Bourbon dynasty

849: Submission of the Abbey of Foix by Charles “Bald” (Charles le Chauve) to Abbey of Saint-Tiberius

Around 1002: the first mention of the Chateau de Foix

1167: All new inhabitants of Foix were granted the privileges to live in the city of Roger Bernard the First and his wife, Cécile Trencavel

1272: the reign of Philip the Third (Philippe III) the Brave, who settled in the castle

1290: Count of Foix inherits Béarn and leaves Foix

Around 1330-1360: construction of the second castle tower

1390: Eight of 59 Foix mills built

1446: Gaston IV, father of Jean de Narbonne, gives 400 crowns for the construction of the bridge in Foix

1454-1457: main work on the construction of the main Foix bridge

1581: Protestant destruction of the church and abbey of Foix

1582: the reunification of the Catholics of Foix, the beginning of the religious wars

1589: Henri de Navarre, Count of Foix, becomes king of France

1804: Saint Volusien Abbey Buildings partially destroyed by fire

January 13, 1840: the prefect shot the peasants at the Kings Fair (la foire des Rois) – 12 dead and about 50 wounded

1985: construction of the cultural center of Foix

March 17, 1985 – the first elections in the new settlements of Foix Ville and Foix Rural

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Foix – the most touristy city of Ariège (France)

Foix – the most touristy city of Ariège (France)

Foix is a city in which (2018) 9,721 people live. It is part of an agglomeration called Country Foix Varilhes (32,000 inhabitants), which, in turn, is part of the Ariège department, with a population of 160,000 inhabitants.

About 90,000 tourists visit the city annually.

The political structure (as of November 2018): the Municipal Council of Foix is made up of 29 municipal councilors, most of whom (24 councilors) are socialists associated with the Europe-écologie-les Verts (left) party. There are 3 elected Republicans (right) and 2 representatives of France’s insoumise (extreme left). Members of the municipal council are elected for a term of 6 years. The next elections will be held in March 2020.

Initially, on the rocky hill where the Château de Foix castle is now located, the Romans built the first defensive fortress. The city of Foix owes its origin to the construction of Charlemagne’s chapel, which later (849) became the abbey of Saint Volusien.

The founding of the abbey in 849 caused an active city life to begin in the town and its surroundings in the 10th century up to the 12th century. The city reached its peak in the fourteenth century.

In 1536, the first sermon of the Reformation began in Foix, and in 1579 the church of Montgauz was destroyed. The same fate awaited the abbey and its church in 1581.

The following year, Foix was restored by the Catholics, and in 1589, Count of Foix, Henry the Great, King of Navarre, was crowned king of France and became Henry IV.

Sights and what to see?

Among the main attractions of the city is the castle (Chateau de Foix). The documented history of the castle begins in 987. From 1034, it became the main citadel of the county of Foix, which played a prominent role in the history of medieval France. Since the 1890s, it has been one of France’s monuments of history and culture.

Today, the Chateau de Foix is one of the most interesting sights in the Southern Pyrenees. This majestic citadel, towering on a rocky hill above the city of the same name, is listed by the French Ministry of Culture on the list of monuments of national importance. The three towers – the main architectural elements of this castle – are examples of fortification art from different periods. The two square towers belong to the XII century, and a large round tower was built in the XV century.

Chateau de Foix, whose foundation dates back to the tenth century, was a strong fortress that withstood Simon de Montfort IV’s repeated attacks between 1211 and 1217 during the Albigoi crusade.

In 1272, when Count Foix refused to recognize the sovereignty of the king of France, Philip “Bald” personally took over the leadership of the expedition against the city, after which the count gave up.

In 1290, at a meeting in the Béarn district and the county of Foix, the city was practically abandoned by the counts. Gaston the Third was the last to live in the castle, and by the sixteenth century the castle had lost its military purpose.

Subsequently, the castle was used as a prison until 1864.

Other interesting attractions to see include:

The court building (1811) – the governor’s palace of Foix, which then became the property of the state.
Arget Square: an 18th century stone fountain (made of sandstone)

Street Rue des Chapeliers – in house number 23 the hotel Sere-Treville (belonged to the family of Treville, captain of the musketeers of the king, a friend of D’Artagnan) was previously located.

Rue du Palais de Justice is the first residential street of the city where the first church of Foix was built.

Rue de l’Arget street – here there are two medieval towers

Rue de la préfecture street – a house with caryatids

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Thermal tourism and SPA. Hydrogen sulfide baths with hot water in the open air. Saint-Thomas-les-Bains, East Pyrenees, France

Thermal tourism and a healthy lifestyle. Hydrogen sulfide baths with hot water in the open air. Saint-Thomas-les-Bains, East Pyrenees, France

Imagine an amphitheater made of stone, in the center of which is a blue lagoon, and next to it is a round pool for children. This is the outer part of the thermal complex of San Thomas (Saint-Thomas-les-Bains).

The thermal water of the San Thomas complex is one of the warmest Pyrenean springs (it can reach 58°C). The water temperature in the lagoon ranges between 34° to 38° (depending on the time of year).

The outdoor pools are equipped with a jacuzzi, massage jets and temperature-controlled “sulfuric” showers.

The chemical composition of the water (1 litre):

Sodium Sulfur – 0.0222

Sodium – 0.0210

Sodium bicarbonate – 0.0478

Silicon Dioxide – 0.0620

Sodium Chloride – 0,0150

Sodium Sulphate – 0,0110

Lime sulfate, lime and magnesia – 0,0200

Nitrogen substance – 0,0600.

The healing properties of water are known to moisturize the skin, heal wounds, and can be used for relaxation therapies.

In addition to the three outdoor pools, the thermal complex includes a visit to the steam bath (hammam) with eucalyptus essential oils and a course of color therapy. Inside the complex there is also a sauna and jacuzzi. Among the procedures of massage rooms you can find mud baths, wraps, modern methods of facial and body care. There is also a tea room.

Age restrictions (internal SPA)- children up to 12 years.

Near the complex is a laboratory which manufactures cosmetics.

The baths were reconstructed in 1993.

Opening hours:
Sunday 10 AM-7:40 PM
Monday 10 AM-7:40 PM
Tuesday 10 AM-7:40 PM
Wednesday 10 AM-7:40 PM
Thursday 10 am-7:40 pm
Friday 10 am-7:40 pm
Saturday 10 am-7:40 pm

How to get there?

From Andorra: take the N145, N260 and N152 to Puigcerda, then the N152 and N154 to the border of Spain and France, then the D63 and D30 to N116 (road to Perpignan). After the village of Haut-Conflent, turn onto the CD28, which leads to the village of Saint-Thomas (1099 m), and then follow the signs to Saint-Thomas-les-Bains (altitude 1156 m).

From Perpignan: N116. After the village of Haut-Conflent, turn onto the CD28, which leads to the village of Saint-Thomas (1099 m), and then follow the signs to Saint-Thomas-les-Bains (altitude 1156 m). The road is very picturesque! The nearest village is Fontpédrouse (2, 5 km).

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Pyrenees event management

Media coverage (including TIER 1 and glossy)

Photo and video shooting (including Hasselblad H3D, Hasselblad H4D 200MS, Leica S2-P, Panoscan MK-3 Digital 360)

Transport and logistics (including exclusive brands directly from owners)

Shows and entertainment 

Music technical rider (including SONY studios equipment)

Professional makeup 

Excursion programmes (max. 250 km from the place of the event)

Catering (including Michelin restaurants) 

Design and floristry

All services 

Pyrenees Event Management (P.E.M) founded by people with many years of experience in the entertainment business. Our agency's activities prove that we know how to make each event special, enjoyable and unforgettable.

Our office is located in Andorra - a multilingual and multicultural country, bordering France and Spain. So we are pleased to offer a full range of services for weddings, business tourism events, corporate and private events.

Andorra is a Europe´s tax heaven (VAT 4.5%, corporate tax 10%), so our prices are very competitive comparing with neighboring Spain and France.

We work with the best hotels and sites in France, Spain and Andorra, including castles and chalets. Among our partners are Michelin restaurants' chefs as well as car owners of exclusive sports cars and vintage carriages on offer.

Photo and video shooting is provided by professionals with experience of working with top European magazines, and who have also had their work presented in exhibitions in Paris, Madrid, Barcelona and Toulouse.

We are also ready to offer you the chance to work with a business tourism and take the lead in organizing conferences and workshops, providing you with a choice of the best business centres in France, Spain and Andorra.

A separate direction of our business is a booking agency. It coordinates with a huge range of international artists. We don't work specifically with any particular musical genre. We have previously collaborated with legendary artists with cult statuses, fresh and new bands that are hot at that moment, the godfathers of hip-hop and celebrity djs.

You give us a sketch - we create, on its basis, a complex artwork, offering and providing our clients with services which they might not know, but they gladly take.

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