Wellness & Spas: discover the Landes spas

Thermal baths have been practised in Les Landes since ancient times. A thousand-year-old tradition that is part of the department's historical and cultural heritage. Discover it for yourself!

Dax and Saint-Paul-Lès-Dax: France's number 1 spa destination

Legend has it that a Roman legionary who was deeply attached to his old dog, which was plagued with rheumatism, threw it into the Adour river out of pity before leaving on campaign. On his return, he found his dog totally revitalised after having bathed in the pockets of mud along the banks of the Adour. And so began the long history of thermal baths in Dax! The spa industry in Dax was given a new lease of life during the Second Empire, thanks to the Paris-Bordeaux-Irun railway line. It was at this time that sumptuous Art Deco buildings, such as the Atrium Casino and the Hôtel Splendid, sprang up to attract a wealthy clientele.

Today, the 16 thermal baths in Dax and Saint-Paul-Lès-Dax offer high-quality treatments, thanks in particular to peloid, a medicinal mud renowned for its healing properties. In the heart of the historic centre of Dax, the Fontaine Chaude, also known as the Nèhe spring (named after a Celtic goddess of the waters), has become a veritable symbol of the spa over the centuries. The spring was already known to the Romans. Its temperature can reach 64 degrees.

Saubusse-les-Bains

Situated in the heart of the Landes forest , the village of Saubusse promises a peaceful getaway surrounded by water and nature. It is the closest Landes spa to the ocean. After a morning at the spa, take a stroll through the village's shady lanes to discover the magnificent stone houses, some of which are surrounded by lush gardens. The 13th-century church is a must-see for those who appreciate the charm of old stone.

If you're in the mood for a more sporting walk, a stroll or cycle ride along the banks of the Adour and through the Barthes is a must. This "Petite Camargue Landaise" offers the perfect setting for watching thousands of birds, including many pairs of storks. You'll also get to know the Barthais ponies, whose origins date back to the 18th century and are thought to be a cross between African and Pyrenean horses.

Préchacq-les-Bains and "le trou de Madame

Just 20km from Dax, in the south of the Landes region, Préchacq-les-Bains is a small spa village full of charm and character, with a calm, gentle, rural atmosphere. People come here to recharge their batteries, but also to visit "le trou de Madame"... This sulphurous spring is located just a stone's throw from the Préchacq spa. Today, the Trou de Madame is little more than a few ruins surrounding a crystal-clear waterhole lined with mud with healing properties. But fifty years ago, it was still a renowned spa for rheumatism and joint pain.

But why is it called "Trou de Madame"? There are several versions of the name, depending on the period. One of them tells the story of a nun who died while bathing to treat her pain. It is also said that it was Anne de Neubourg, Queen of Spain, who visited the Préchacq thermal baths and went to the hole. But the most commonly accepted version is that only women came to bathe there. Nowadays, it has become a tourist attraction rather than a spa.

The fabulous destiny of Eugénie-les-Bains

On the borders of the Landes, Gers and Béarn regions , Eugénie-les-Bains is a charming, historic village, full of country charm and warmth. Henri IV already recognised the virtues of the waters of the Saint-Loubouer meadows, but it was Empress Eugénie, wife of Emperor Napoleon III, who gave the spa its letters of nobility, and incidentally its name. Since then, the village's reputation has gone from strength to strength. And with good reason: the resort is renowned for treating illnesses linked to obesity or excess weight. In 1974, the arrival of Michelin-starred chef Michel Guérard, an enthusiast of slimming cuisine, gave the spa village a new lease of life. Rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulphur and thermal plankton, the Eugénie springs also treat rheumatism.

Priority to your well-being at the campsite

Don't necessarily have the time to come for a 3-week cure? Or do you simply need a break from the hustle and bustle? Then opt for a short break on a campsite near Dax! Bathed in a mild, sunny ocean climate, our 5-star campsite with wellness area welcomes you in a natural environment, between ocean beaches and pine forests. On the programme: hammam, sauna, whirlpool bath, massages, modelling, facial and body treatments. Perfect for a detox getaway or a relaxing mini-treatment in the Landes!