The Hot springs to Visit in Mérens-les-Vals, France | Natural baths
- Nature Source Chaude
- Published on
- Updated on 16 May 2025
This time I went to Ariège, in the heart of the Pyrenees, to discover an authentic, unspoilt region.
Many hot springs have been discovered here in the past. In fact, on the heights above the village of Mérens-les-Vals, at an altitude of 1,300 metres, several sulphurous hot springs bubble up in a setting that is both magnificent and wild. After a 20-minute walk, you’ll find pools of hot water with temperatures of up to 40°C, inviting you to soak all year round. Discover this enchanting place and all the useful information in this article.
IN SUMMARY:
Looking for an authentic experience
On a visit to the region, I stopped off at Ax-les-Thermes before heading to Mérens-les-Vals. In passing, I learned that Ax-les-Thermes has more than 60 springs with temperatures ranging from 10 to 78 degrees.
This resource, the basis of a reliable economic activity, has allowed the development of the largest spa resort in the department, not to mention a casino, several tennis courts, hotels, etc.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the resort already had four spa establishments fed by some fifteen thermal springs. Towards the end of the 19th century, a fifth spa was to be built in Mérens-les-Vals as a branch of Ax-les-Thermes.
With the village of Mérens only ten kilometres away, many hot springs remained unexploited despite their easy accessibility. Hot springs were highly coveted at that time.
This establishment was therefore intended to attract spa visitors who loved solitude and who could find such a wild setting in Mérens-les-Vals.
At that time, Ax-les-Thermes was already a highly developed town where water had been exploited for a very long time. The current Saint-Louis hospital dates back to the 13th century. By the middle of the 19th century, the water collected by the spa resort had been channelled through an elaborate network of pipes. The desire for a less urban setting was therefore already well advanced among some of the spa visitors. But the project was abandoned.
The former luxurious spa establishment of Ax-les-Thermes, which offered all the amenities of the time, is shown below.
The Breilh was one of the town’s four spa establishments. It was built in 1821 by the owner of the Hotel Sicre, in the latter’s garden.
The façade is remarkable: a central building preceded by a Doric order under a curvilinear broken pediment is pierced by ornate arched bays. On the sides, two colonnades gave access to the baths. The building also had two thermal refreshment rooms.
For a long time it was a luxury establishment of the first order, as the boarders did not have to leave the building during their cures.
However, a spa park or ‘garden’ was an integral part of the spa treatment, offering those taking the waters a little corner of nature to get away from it all.
My crossing of the village of Mérens-les-Vals
In search of a salutary change of scenery, the charm of the wild setting of the hot springs has fascinated me for so many years now. Like a gold digger in search of an unhoped-for nugget, I set off for the sulphur springs of Mérens.
Once I arrived at Mérens ‘station’ (which isn’t really a station, it’s just an SNCF ‘stop’), I walked through the lower part of the village without lingering.
To my surprise, I discovered several cold water fountains along the roadside, sometimes hidden in narrow alleyways. I counted six as I drove through the village.
This discreet heritage testifies to a bygone era when residents drew fresh, unfiltered water before the arrival of running water.
All these fountains still discharge water, but it seems that the flow was twice as great in the past.
I then took a path alongside the Nabre stream. This is part of the GR10 trail (marked in red and white), which crosses the Pyrenees from east to west, passing through Mérens.
I then reached the remains of the Romanesque church. It dates back to the X^th century. There is a car park to the right of the edifice. You’ll also find a fountain providing fresh water.
On the way to the top of the village, I came across the washhouse, a place where you can cool off and rest on the benches. This place marks the junction of the GR10 and the GR107.
To reach the sulphur springs, you have to stay on the GR10, which runs alongside the washhouse. The viewpoint is magnificent, with a good view of the massif overlooking Mérens and the Pic de Savis. I then entered the undergrowth of the Soulaneille. A tough twenty-minute climb awaited me.
You can also take the path opposite the washhouse. At the end, turn right and cross the Touret stream. Then take a path that is less steep than the GR10 that leads to the springs.
The sulphurous hot springs of Mérens
A few hundred metres from Mérens d’en Haut, there are three sulphur springs. One of them, the furthest and least accessible, is said to belong to a private individual living in Mérens.
The source of the baths, known as the Filhol spring, is the closest to the village and lies on the edge of the GR10 footpath. Surrounded by vegetation that encourages relaxation and tranquillity, it is also located on private land.
A few metres from the baths is a third spring whose thermal water, mixed with ordinary cold water, forms a thin stream of lukewarm water that trickles over several large ochre-coloured stones.
It was with a magical thrill that I discovered the source of the baths. The air filled with healing thermal vapours soothed and comforted me. The forest serves as a decor. But the place is bathed in light and the air is invigorating.
The site is roughly laid out. Natural pools form an integral part of the landscape and stone blocks are used to roughly outline them.
A veritable spa lurks in the heights above Mérens. In the water, you can relax completely and soothe your spirit. The uninterrupted view of the massif opposite is breathtaking. With a temperature of around 37°C, this water will delight those used to natural hot baths. In fact, I suggest you read the article ‘The amazing health benefits of a hot bath’.
Bathers can fully reconnect with nature by spending time in contact with rich soil and thermal water bursting with life. The combination of natural, living soil and a hot spring is incredibly beneficial, as you will see in this article: The soil, base layer and living medium of a hot spring.
The water from this spring contains sulphur (mainly in the form of hydrogen sulphide) at a rate of 8 mg per litre. This type of sulphur has a rotten egg smell.
It also contains minute amounts of chemical elements such as chlorides, sulphates, calcium, sodium, potassium, silica and lithium.
This hot spring allows you to enjoy the benefits of sulphurous waters.
In particular, these waters can be used to treat rheumatism, skin diseases and respiratory problems. If you’d like to know more about the benefits of sulphur baths for the respiratory tract, please read the article ‘How to cleanse your lungs with simple, natural ways‘.
Information
Access to the baths is free all year round. However, it is important to remember that most of these hot springs belong to public or private owners.
Due to the lack of fencing, the use of this private area must be exemplary, particularly with regard to the behaviour of bathers and keeping the area clean.
This wild place is popular with locals and walkers alike. It can be visited throughout the day and even into the evening. To avoid the crowds, come early in the morning and avoid weekends.
