Ax-les-Thermes (; or ) is a commune in the Ariège department in the Occitanie

region In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...

of southwestern

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

. The commune has been awarded one flower by the ''National Council of Towns and Villages in Bloom'' in the ''Competition of cities and villages in Bloom''.

Geography

Ax-les-Thermes is situated in the

Pyrénées The Pyrenees are a mountain range straddling the border of France and Spain. They extend nearly from their union with the Cantabrian Mountains to Cap de Creus on the Mediterranean coast, reaching a maximum elevation of at the peak of Aneto. F ...

, close to

Andorra Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra, is a Sovereignty, sovereign landlocked country on the Iberian Peninsula, in the eastern Pyrenees in Southwestern Europe, Andorra–France border, bordered by France to the north and Spain to A ...

, and stands on the confluence of the Oriège, Ariège and Lauze rivers. some 75 km west of

Perpignan Perpignan (, , ; ; ) is the prefectures in France, prefecture of the Pyrénées-Orientales departments of France, department in Southern France, in the heart of the plain of Roussillon, at the foot of the Pyrenees a few kilometres from the Me ...

and 35 km north-east of

Andorra la Vella Andorra la Vella is the capital and largest city of Andorra. It is located high in the east Pyrenees, between France and Spain. It is also the name of the parishes of Andorra, Andorran parish that surrounds the capital. , the city had a populati ...

. Access to the commune is by

Route nationale A ''route nationale'', or simply ''nationale'', is a class of trunk road in France. They are important roads of national significance which cross broad portions of the French territory, in contrast to departmental or communal roads which serve mo ...

N20 from Garanou in the northwest which passes through the village then south through the commune to Mérens-les-Vals. The D613 goes north from the village to Sorgeat and the D25 branches from this to go east to Ascou and Mijanès. The railway line from

Foix Foix ( , ; ; ) is a commune, the former capital of the County of Foix. It is the capital of the department of Ariège as it is the seat of the prefecture of that department. Foix is located in the Occitanie region of southwestern France ...

passes through the commune with Ax-les-Thermes station just northwest of the village. The line continues south to Merens-les-Vals. Apart from the village there are the hamlets of Premiere Bazerque, Deuxieme Bazerque, Troisieme Bazerque, Petches, and Ax-Bonascre to the south. The Ax 3 Domaines Ski resort is located at Ax-Bonascre southwest of the village and is accessed by the D82 road from the village. The commune is alpine in nature with extensive forests and rugged terrain.Google Maps
/ref> The Ariège river flows through the commune from south to north at the start of its journey to join the

Garonne The Garonne ( , ; Catalan language, Catalan, Basque language, Basque and , ; or ) is a river that flows in southwest France and northern Spain. It flows from the central Spanish Pyrenees to the Gironde estuary at the French port of Bordeaux � ...

Portet-sur-Garonne Portet-sur-Garonne (, literally ''Portet on Garonne''; Languedocien dialect, Languedocien: ''Portèth de Garona'') is a Communes of France, commune in the Haute-Garonne Departments of France, department in southwestern France. Portet-Saint-Simon ...

. The ''Ruisseau des Estagnols'' rises in the south of the commune and flows north to join the Ariège in the south of the commune. The ''Ruisseau de Risl'' and the ''Ruisseau de Font Frède'' both rise in the east of the commune and flow west to join the Ariège. The ''Oriège'' flows from the east to join the Ariège in the village and the ''Lauze'' flows from the east to join the Ariège just north of the confluence of the Oriège.

The Spa

Ax (from

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

''Aquae'' – water;

French French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...

''Thermes'' – hot springs), situated at an elevation of , is well known for its sulphurous hot springs (). The waters, which were used by the

Romans Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of Roman civilization *Epistle to the Romans, shortened to Romans, a letter w ...

, were historically claimed to treat

rheumatism Rheumatism or rheumatic disorders are conditions causing chronic, often intermittent pain affecting the joints or connective tissue. Rheumatism does not designate any specific disorder, but covers at least 200 different conditions, including a ...

, skin diseases, and other maladies. The springs were developed in the medieval period on the orders of Saint Louis to treat soldiers returning from the

Crusades The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and at times directed by the Papacy during the Middle Ages. The most prominent of these were the campaigns to the Holy Land aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem and its surrounding t ...

afflicted with

leprosy Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease (HD), is a Chronic condition, long-term infection by the bacteria ''Mycobacterium leprae'' or ''Mycobacterium lepromatosis''. Infection can lead to damage of the Peripheral nervous system, nerves, respir ...

. From the 19th century, a

spa A spa is a location where mineral-rich spring water (sometimes seawater) is used to give medicinal baths. Spa health treatments are known as balneotherapy. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters and hot springs goes back to pre ...

tourism industry developed. The ''Bassin des Ladres'' (Lepers' Pond), in the centre of the commune, is fed by hot springs supplying water from the ground at a temperature of 77 °C. The best known fountain is the "fountain of cannons". A hospital is situated only one metre from the basin. The pond was built by

Roger IV, Count of Foix Roger IV (died 24 February 1265), son and successor of Roger-Bernard II the Great, was the eighth count of Foix from 1241 to his death. His mother was Ermessenda de Castellbò. His reign began with the south again at war with the north in Fran ...

, during the reign of Saint Louis in 1260. Every year on St John's Day the people of Ax-les-Thermes, having been daubed with ashes, bathe in the Lepers' Pond for fun.

History

Heraldry

Administration

List of Successive Mayors Ax-les-Thermes banner

Demography

The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Axéens'' or ''Axéennes'' in French. Ax-les-Thermes Passerelle

Economy

Local economic activity is based mainly on livestock (cattle and sheep),

Hydrotherapy Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy and also called water cure, is a branch of alternative medicine (particularly naturopathy), occupational therapy, and Physical therapy, physiotherapy, that involves the use of water for pain relief and ...

(there are 60 sources at temperatures ranging from 18 to 78 °C, feeding three spas: Couloubret, Modèle, and Teich. The waters treat especially sciatica, rheumatism and certain respiratory diseases), winter sports, and tourism in general. Its proximity to

enables cross-border shopping. The Ax 3 Domaines winter sports resort is situated in the commune and served as the finish line fo
stage 14
of the 2010

Tour de France The Tour de France () is an annual men's multiple-stage cycle sport, bicycle race held primarily in France. It is the oldest and most prestigious of the three Grand Tour (cycling), Grand Tours, which include the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a ...

Culture and heritage

Civil heritage

The commune has two sites that are registered as historical monuments: *The Bassin des Ladres (Lepers' Pond) (13th century) is fed by hot spring water at a temperature of 77 °C. *The Teich Park Ornamental Garden (1838) ;Picture Gallery File:Demoiselles de Castelet, Ax-les-Thermes.jpg, The ''Demoiselles de Castelet'' in the 19th century File:En marche dans le wagon terrasse Ax-les-Thermes (2567822188).jpg, Railway tunnel at Ax-les-Thermes 1906 File:Thermes du Teich, Ax-les-Thermes, 26 août 1905 (5811355152).jpg, The Baths of Teich 1905 File:Gorges de Berduquet, Ax-les-Thermes.jpg, The Berduquety Gorge (19th century) File:Ax-les-Thermes Rue.jpg, A street in the town File:Ax-les-Thermes centre.jpg, The Village Centre File:Ax-les-Thermes Carrière2.jpg, The Quarry File:LauzeRiver.JPG, The Lauze in Ax-les-Thermes File:Ax les Thermes Z4143.jpg, A train at Ax-les-Thermes in 1981

Religious heritage

*The Church of Saint-Jerome (formerly the Chapel of the Blue Penitents) contains several items that are registered as historical objects: **An Altar Painting: Christ on the Cross (1841) **The Choir Enclosure (18th century) **The Front of the

Altar An altar is a table or platform for the presentation of religion, religious offerings, for sacrifices, or for other ritualistic purposes. Altars are found at shrines, temples, Church (building), churches, and other places of worship. They are use ...

(18th century) **A

Tabernacle According to the Hebrew Bible, the tabernacle (), also known as the Tent of the Congregation (, also Tent of Meeting), was the portable earthly dwelling of God used by the Israelites from the Exodus until the conquest of Canaan. Moses was instru ...

and 6 statuettes (18th century) **The

Retable A retable is a structure or element placed either on or immediately behind and above the altar or communion table of a church. At the minimum, it may be a simple shelf for candles behind an altar, but it can also be a large and elaborate struct ...

, 2 statues, Painting: Saint Jerome, Saint Madeleine, Christ on the Cross (18th century) *The Church of Saint-Vincent contains several items that are registered as historical objects: **A

Chalice A chalice (from Latin 'cup', taken from the Ancient Greek () 'cup') is a drinking cup raised on a stem with a foot or base. Although it is a technical archaeological term, in modern parlance the word is now used almost exclusively for the ...

(16th century) **A Crucifix from the Blue Penitents (1650) **A

(16th century) **A Painting: Saint Vincent in Ecstasy (18th century) **A Bronze Bell (1512) **A Painting: The mystical marriage of Saint Catherine (17th century) **A Painting: Christ on the Cross with Saint Madeleine and the Virgin at his feet (1875)

Notable people linked to the commune

*Saint Udaut (405-452), priest and martyr * Peire Autier,

Albigensian Catharism ( ; from the , "the pure ones") was a Christian quasi- dualist and pseudo-Gnostic movement which thrived in Southern Europe, particularly in northern Italy and southern France, between the 12th and 14th centuries. Denounced as a he ...

leader *Louis Gareau (1769-1813), General of the Armies of the Republic and the Empire *

Émilien Dumas Jean Louis George Émilien Dumas (16 october 1804 – 21 September 1870) was a French scholar, palaeontologist, and geologist. Biography Born to a Protestant family of the bourgeoisie in Gard, Émilien Dumas was immersed from his early childho ...

(1804–1873), palaeontologist and geologist, died in Ax-les-Thermes *Gatien Marcailhou (1807-1855), composer and "inventor" of the waltz. He was the first teacher of

Gabriel Fauré Gabriel Urbain Fauré (12 May 1845 – 4 November 1924) was a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation, and his musical style influenced many 20th-century composers. ...

. His most famous composition, ''Indiana'', inspired

Camille Claudel Camille Rosalie Claudel (; 8 December 1864 19 October 1943) was a French sculptor known for her figurative works in bronze and marble. She died in relative obscurity, but later gained recognition for the originality and quality of her work. The ...

in his group ''La Valse''. *Pierre Bertrand de Mérignon

References

External links

Ax-les-Thermes official website

Vallées d'Ax Tourism website

Tourist Information website for Ax les Thermes

Ax 3 Domaines ski resort official website

Ax-les-Thermes ''Green Station'' website

Ax-les-Thermes school website

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Axlesthermes Communes of Ariège (department) Spa towns in France