Visit Ax-les-Thermes | Foot baths and hot water fountains
- Nature Source Chaude
- Published on
- Updated on 23 May 2025
France has a particularly rich heritage of sulphur springs, which are genuine natural remedies for a variety of ailments. In fact, these sulphurous and silicate-alkaline waters are predominant in the Pyrenees, where there are many spa resorts.
The resort of Ax-les-Thermes has the privilege of having 63 springs within its boundaries. Ax-les-Thermes is also one of the few spa towns to have large pools and a number of fountains scattered around the town, filled with thermal water and open to the public free of charge.
IN SUMMARY:
Map of hot springs and hot water fountains in Ax-les-Thermes
This map shows the location of all the town’s open access spa sites.
Finally, fans of natural hot baths can visit another hot spring in the vicinity of Mérens-les-Vals. It is also indicated on the map. The article is entitled ‘The Hot springs to Visit in Mérens-les-Vals, France | Natural baths‘.
Fontaine du Couzillou
This fountain probably dates from the 19th century. The spring is protected by a wall with a built-in stone spout, which allows the water to flow into a rectangular stone mini-basin. The overflow flows into a gutter that leads the water to the Lauze stream.
The sulphurous water, which comes out at 54 degrees, was once used for cleaning and washing up.
Bassin de la Basse
This pool is located between the Bains du Couloubret (Couloubret Baths) establishment and the Ax-les-Thermes casino. Built in 1672, it was fed by two thermal springs (Basse and Rougeron) whose temperature was around 18 degrees.
On my first visit I noticed that the water on the surface of the pool was stagnant, making footbathing unthinkable. On my second visit to the town, however, I noticed that the pool was full.
This pool is now one of three in the town where you can soak your feet for free (provided it’s full).
This pool has been converted into a footbath, although it was not originally intended for this purpose. A footbath should normally allow users to clean their feet so as not to contaminate the bathing water. It must also be adjacent to the pool it is designed to protect.
Bassin des Ladres
After leaving the casino on the left, I turned right and came to a square, the Place du Breilh, where the Bassin des Ladres, also known as the Lepers’ pool, is located. The hospital of Ax, next to the pool, was founded in 1260 during the reign of King Saint-Louis to receive lepers.
This medieval (13th century) quadrangular pool is accessed by a series of steps (three in this case). The deeper the pool, the more steps are needed.
This series of steps can also be used as bleachers. This type of construction is thus characterised by great accessibility. Depending on the tier chosen, bathers can enjoy selective immersion: a foot bath, a seat bath or a up to the neck bath. For therapeutic reasons, this type of arrangement, which has been used since ancient times, allows bathers to stay in the water for longer.
In the 19th century, the surrounds of this pool were completely restored.
The value of these waters cannot be completely denied, as they have been used in the past to treat the most serious illnesses.
Today, visitors can still enjoy soaking their feet in the water. The temperature of the water can vary according to the amount of hot water supplied. Like the other two free outdoor pools in the town, it is supplied by two boreholes, which also supply all the spa establishments.
Source des Canons
This covered half-moon fountain was built in 1789 and is also located on the Place du Breilh. It is protected by a particularly high stone structure, which gives the fountain a grotto-like appearance.
The water comes out through two small pipes and goes straight down the drain. These sulphurous waters, which are almost boiling (70 degrees) when they come out, were undoubtedly much appreciated in the past as a complement to bathing in the Ladres pool.
Source des Rossignols
This fountain is located close to the Cannons spring (Source des Canons). Its temperature (69-70 degrees) is similar to that of the Cannons spring. The rudimentary installation of the fountain makes it impossible to date its construction. Today, the fountain is set against a stone wall, with two other walls on either side. The water falls directly to the ground and is drained through a pipe.
The Nightingales (Source des Rossignols) and Cannons springs are among the hottest in the Pyrenees, with very high temperatures. They gush out at 78°C, but their temperature can vary slightly (hence the 70°C recorded). So be careful not to burn yourself!
Fontaine du Coustou
From Place du Breilh, a street called Rue Coustou leads to the fountain of the same name. This fountain is newer and was probably built in the 19th century. Unfortunately, the spring has dried up and can no longer be enjoyed. According to the plaques next to the fountain, the waters were said to be of great benefit to people suffering from liver problems.
Fontaine des Neiges
The Fontaine des Neiges (Fountain of the Snows) is located at the edge of the dwellings on the right bank of the Oriège. It is a ‘hydrant’ (fountain) that gave access to water to the inhabitants who did not have a subscription to the municipal network. An inscription engraved on the column gives the date of its construction: 1877.
The height of this fountain, set against a low stone wall, has been calculated so that the opening is exactly 50 or 60 cm from the ground, making it easy to fill the buckets placed on a stone pedestal. The water gushes out of a lion’s mask in a continuous stream and then drains into the sewers.
The locals still draw this sulphurous (very hot) water from the fountain for their domestic and cleaning needs.
Bassin de l'Axéenne
This granite pool is located at the end of an oblong square, the Place Saint-Jérôme, which is the heart of the spa town. Lined with cafés and small, welcoming shops, it is very popular with tourists. Its proximity to the foot spa is a real asset and gives the place an extra touch of conviviality.
Walkers and tourists passing by the pool can smell the faint, almost imperceptible smell of sulphur mixed with the thermal vapours.
The warm water, which is also thermal, is very beneficial to the body and many visitors enjoy a good footbath.
What’s more, the water temperature in the upper part of the pool is ideal at around 44-45 degrees. As a result, this friendly footbath is very lively throughout the day.
The thermal water comes from two reservoirs located opposite the Le Tech spa establishment, less than 200 metres away.
