Health & Well-being in Amélie-les-Bains Palalda
The Catalan region, at the gateway to Spain, on the same latitude of Rome, definitely tastes like the sun. The lively town of Amélie les Bains, on the river Tech, between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees combines, with a smiling accent, pure air and microclimate, mild temperatures, and bright skies (300 days of sunshine a year). Discover our campinsite in Amélie-les-Bains.
La “Compagnie des Spas d’Amélie” is a spa situated 1.5 km from our campsite which offers numerous natural spa water treatments such as Therma bike, body or face modelling, thermal plankton applications, Kaolin baths, or the sulphurous hot water swimming pool.
The spa is located 1.5 kilometres from our campsite in Amélie-les-Bains.
The local shuttle service stops right in front of the campsite and will drop you off at the thermal spa centre.
Amélie les Bains Spa
The Roman Baths are built on top of ancient baths and open onto magnificent changing rooms and relaxation areas.
The vaulted ceiling and restored Tisanerie pool provide food for the imagination in these sacred places. Resolutely inspired by the baths of Antiquity, its vast spaces, entirely renovated, offer the pleasure of a beautiful thermal water pool.
Nothing is more essential to human beings than water and nothing is better than thermal spa water for feeling good.
By immersing yourself in the naturally warm spring waters filtered over thousands of years by the rocks, the skin and tissues of your body relax and soften.
They are oxygenated, nourished, repaired, strengthened, and toned. The quality and purity of our springs is preserved and certified by the National Academy of Medicine.
Well-being packages with the Compagnie des Spas (1.5 km)
Well-being plan with the Compagnie des Spas (1.5 km)
A range of programmes which are a perfect introduction to the benefits of fitness and thermal mineral water, and which alternate toning and relaxing treatments, with body sculpting massages with essential oils by expert hands. The treatments last approximately 2 hours.
Book your stay at the campsite together with a treatment from the spa company located only 1.5 km from the campsite, for a unique moment of relaxation and well-being close to nature.
Our accommodation
Fully equipped air-conditioned cottages. A wood covered terrace enables you to enjoy our exceptional climate and to be closer to nature.
Access the thermal spa on foot, by bike or with the local shuttle – easy and quick !
Find out more on the accommodation available at the campsite in Amélie-les-Bains here.
Your spa treatments at the Chaîne Thermale du Soleil
The Chaîne Thermale du Soleil spa in Amélie-les-Bains is chosen by many people. The sulphurous mineral waters which supply the 2 thermal establishments, Thermes Romains and Thermes du Mondony provide effective and natural treatment for rheumatology, and the respiratory passages.
You will be guaranteed a calm and relaxing stay in the heart of nature when you choose to stay in our comfortable accommodation or on our pitches during your 18-day spa therapy.
The local shuttle service is available at preferential rates !
The advantages of the resort
Open almost all year round !
Many cultural and sports activities !
Located between sea and mountain !
A dry and very sunny climate !
Specific spa therapies and mini therapies !
The thermal baths of Amélie-les-Bains are very invigorating and provide optimal treatments.
Easy and cheap access to all the department’s sites with the € 1 coach service with the Conseil Général.
Amélie’s facilities
In Amélie-les-bains you will easily find :
- numerous restaurants,
- shops,
- hypermarket (Aldi),
- cultural and sporting activities,
- numerous walks and bike rides.
Amélie-les-Bains Palalda and its valley
The Pays Catalan which borders Spain and is on the same latitude as Rome, definitely tastes like the sun. Located on the river Tech, between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, the lively town of Amélie-les-Bains combines, with a melodic accent, clean air and microclimate, mild temperatures and bright skies (300 days of sunshine a year).
From February onwards, the area is adorned with the first mimosas in bloom and, a unique phenomenon in Europe takes place, the return of the first swallows.
A little history
Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda is a French town in the department of the Pyrénées-Orientales and the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
It has signs of occupation since the Iron Age: blocks of gneiss discovered following the flooding of the Tech in 1940 were engraved with signs from this period.
There are various theories about them (cromlech, temple, …) but none are based on verifiable facts. There are hot springs at Bains d’Arles (El Banys) which have been exploited since Antiquity.
The Romans built Roman baths, and a vaulted room and small swimming pool remains today.
Later on, an Abbey was founded by a certain Castellan in the 8th century probably inside the old baths. However, Viking raids during the 9th century forced the monks to move their monastery to Arles-sur-Tech, where it still stands today.
The Baths called ‘Els Banys d’Arles,’ remained the property of the Abbot of the Monastery of Arles until 1237 when they were acquired by the Lord of Roussillon and Vallespir, Nunyo-Sanche. Only the parish church of Saint-Quentin remains under the jurisdiction of the Abbot of Arles today.
Around 1670 Vauban ordered a fort to be built above the village to defend the Spanish border, which still stands today. The fort was called Fort-les-Bains (and it bears the same name today).
On 7th April 1840, King Louis-Philippe renamed the village Amélie-les-Bains, after his wife, Marie Amélie de Bourbon.
Throughout the year the town of Amélie and its surroundings offer many attractions
The Vallespir Rally
Vallespir National Rally is one of the rallies of the French Rally Cup and the Languedoc Roussillon Committee Championship.
International Festival of folklore in Amélie-les-Bains
The International Festival of Folklore has not stopped growing since 1935 the year that the Occitane Festival was founded, and Festival’s membership of the International Council of Organisations of Folklore Festivals (CIOFF) in 1983 is proof of this. In a whirling kaleidoscope of colours and rhythms, the festival offers awestruck visitors an unforgettable image of the richness of the world’s cultures and the feeling that peace could be possible between all peoples.
Amélie les Bains’ Carnival
Like almost all carnivals, Amélie-les-Bains’ has very ancient origins which cannot be determined. An article in the “courrier de Céret dated March 18th, 1888″ described a cavalcade. In the archives, there are photos of carnival celebrations of the 1900s. However, since 1945 it has been held without interruption.
The Bear Festival in Vallespir
Traditional and secular popular parties announcing the Carnival’s beginning in Arles sur Tech, Prats de Mollo la Preste and Saint Laurent de Cerdans.
Thursdays in Amélie les Bains
In July and August, the ACS Service of the town organises “Les Jeudis d’Amélie”. From 5:30pm to 7:30pm, every Thursday, the town streets come alive to the sounds of various brass bands, bandas, and orchestras which fill the streets.
The Festibanyes
“The Festibanyes were born from some Vallespir Aficionados’ idea. They discovered their passion on the outskirts of Céret’s Arena and then spread it elsewhere. Without the transmission of such an activity through the generations, bullfighting would disappear. No bulls, no bullfighting. Without men of courage and skill to face them, no fighting”.
The Cherry festival in Céret
Cherry Festival and Céret de Bandas in May.
Saint Eloi: Mule Festival
Around the 25th June, Saint Eloi’s day, mules can be seen harnessed with pompoms and studded necklaces trotting to the sound of the Cobla music ensemble with children in traditional costume. The priest blesses them in a very moving ceremony in the church square, along with bread rolls, a symbol of prosperity.
The St Joan bonfires (Focs de la Sant Joan)
For the summer solstice (June 21st) it is customary in Catalonia to light large bonfires in the village squares.
