Ax-Les-Thermes: Hotels and Accommodation
Accommodation in Ax-Les-Thermes
The Ax 3 Domaines winter sports area has 38 ski slopes with a total length of 80 km at elevations between 1,400 m and 2,400 m. A gondola lift connects the centre of Ax-les-Thermes with Ax 3 Domaines.
Anyone looking to find and book a hotel in Ax-les-Thermes should consider the local winter sports and thermal spa offerings.
Winter sports and thermal water
Ax 3 Domaines offers three freely accessible snowshoe trails starting from the Plateau de Bonascre and another from the Plateau du Saquet. The Natural Forest Park snow park has various lines with rails, boxes and kickers for all levels.
In the centre of Ax-les-Thermes, there are outdoor thermal-water pools for relaxation after hikes or days of skiing. The thermal waters emerge naturally hot, at temperatures of up to 77°C. Les Bains du Couloubret has naturally hot pools with water jets, massages, bubbling areas and steam.
Until around the middle of the 18th century, Ax’s thermal spa centre, also known as Barry des Bains, was concentrated around the Bassin des Ladres. The Bassin de l’Axéenne continues the Axéenne tradition of bathing one’s feet in thermal water; it is located in the town centre on Place Saint-Jérôme and is supplied with diverted thermal water.
Culture and history
The Chapelle Saint-Jérôme was built in 1607 within nine months following a public fundraising campaign for the Brotherhood of the Blue Penitents. It has a gilded wooden altarpiece in the Pyrenean style from the 17th century and now serves as an exhibition hall. The Church of Saint Vincent was rebuilt in the 17th century in the Catalan-Languedoc style.
The Bassin des Ladres is connected to the hospital of Ax, founded in 1260 by Count Roger IV de Foix at the instigation of Saint Louis. Among others, soldiers who had returned from the Crusades with leprosy were admitted there.
Hiking and views
La Porteille d'Orgeix is an 8 km circular hike with 370 metres of elevation gain, beginning in Ax-les-Thermes. The signposted circular route passes through several valleys and climbs to the Rocher de la Vierge, from where Ax-les-Thermes can be viewed.
The Rocher de la Vierge offers panoramic views over Ax-les-Thermes and the surrounding villages. Beneath the Rocher de la Vierge is a small chapel with a small altar; the rock can be reached via a footpath behind the pond’s thermal facility.
The Ax-les-Thermes town discovery trail has 16 information panels, is approximately 1.7 km long and takes about an hour. It leads to notable buildings, thermal pools and hot-water fountains.
Market and regional products
A regular market is held on Place Saint-Jérôme in Ax-les-Thermes all year round on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
La boutique de La Ferme offers tastings of local products with explanations of the history of agriculture in Ariège. La boutique de La Ferme and Laurent offer guided tours, picnics, gastronomic walks and farm visits.
For the overview of the wider travel destination: Ariège.
More destinations
Other places within the same destination:
.jpg){kind=link}