The Thermal Spa at Barèges The thermal spa is undergoing a complete refurbishment this year, to be completed in time for Winter 2008/2009 with a new "thermo ludique" centre for relaxation and pampering. The thermes are partially open for tourists this Summer, and the excellent "Luzea" spa at Luz St. Sauveur, only 10 minutes drive from Bareges, is also open.

Barèges is an historic spa village, and at 1250m has the highest thermal baths in France. The thermal waters were discovered in the 15th century when a farmer found an injured sheep bathing in a warm sulphurous pool. The sheep recovered very quickly and soon the pool was being used by the local people, who dipped in a big basin sheltered by a roof. The royal family began to take the “cure” in 1675, and the original spa buildings were built in 1860 when Napoleon the third, under Louis XV, ordered the construction of a military hospital and spa for the treatment of war wounds, rheumatism and skin problems.

At Barèges, naturally heated waters rise to the surface along a geological fault line between two different rock types – a granite and a schist. The Pyrenees are a young mountain belt, and the buried igneous rocks are still warm, so water circulating deep in the granite is heated naturally. The sodic thermal waters of Bareges are rich in sulphur and a natural gel called “Barégine”. This white filament gives a unique richness to the waters and has antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and scar-reducing properties. Barégine has always been reputed for its healing qualities, and it is now known to be product of the sulphur-bacteria, which live in the waters and use sulphur as their energy source. The Barèges spa is recommended particularly for the reconstruction of bones and for rheumatism. There is also a second spa (Thermes de Barzun) specialising in respiratory complaints. Thermal “cure” treatments are widely recognised in France: 87% of French people consider thermalism to be an alternative treatment for certain illnesses, and 83% believe that thermal treatments allow a reduction in their consumption of medications.

Whether you’re looking for a cure, or just a chance to indulge yourself, a trip to the spa is certainly a lovely way to relax after a strenuous day out in the mountains skiing or snowshoeing in Winter, or walking in the Summer.

Opening hours Summer: 16h – 20h Winter: 10h - 12h & 17h – 19h30

 

Spa Holidays - pampering, invigoration and relaxation

 

Our accommodation is in the centre of Bareges village - just a minute's walk from the thermal spa and close to all the village shops, bars and restaurants. Use our lovely 3-star house as a base for a week of therapy, at France's highest thermal baths.

Pampering week 250 € (around £170)

Day 1	Underwater massage (10 mins) + pressure shower + spa water jetbath + clay pack with natural oils or thermal mud.
Day 2	Body modelling (1h) + spa water jetbath + swimming pool immersion + jet shower.
Day 3	Underwater massage + spa water jetbath + pressure shower + clay pack treatment with essential oils or spa water.
Day 4	Facial care at the specialised Institute (1h) + spa water jetbath + swimming pool immersion + jet shower.
Day 5	Underwater massage + pressure shower + spa water jetbath + clay pack with essential oils or spa water.
Day 6	Californian massage (1h) + spa water jetbath + swimming pool immersion + shower.

Invigorating week 170 € (around £115)

Day 1	Massage + spa water jetbath + sauna.
Day 2	Massage + high-pressure spa water jet pool + clay pack treatment.
Day 3	Massage + spa water jetbath + sauna.
Day 4	Massage + high-pressure spa water jet pool + clay pack treatment.
Day 5	Massage + spa water jetbath + sauna.
Day 6	Massage + high-pressure spa water jet pool + clay pack treatment.

Relaxation week 130 € (around £90)

Day 1	Swimming pool + spa water jetbath + pressure shower.
Day 2	High pressure spa water jet pool + massage + exercises.
Day 3	Simple spa bath + sauna + jet shower.
Day 4	Swimming pool + spa water jetbath + exercises.
Day 5	Immersion + massage + jet shower.
Day 6	Simple spa bath + sauna + exercises.

All of these treatments can be provided over a weekend, a few days, a week of for the season. A series of spa therapies can be combined with a guided walking or multi activity holiday in the Summer, or ski and snowshoeing in the Winter for a week of fitness and relaxation in the high mountains.

Half board accommodation in a spacious en-suite bedroom is priced at 490 euros per week, based on two sharing. This includes your generous continental breakfasts, afternoon tea & cakes and delicious three course evening meals. You also have use of the house sauna, equipment room, dining room, spacious lounge and patio garden with mountain views.

 

Barèges Thermal Spa Treatments

Piscine (30 mins) 7€
Thermal sulphurous pool naturally heated to 36 degrees
Douche pression (10 mins) 6€
A high pressure shower in an individual cubicle
Douche au jet (5 mins) 8€
A high pressure jet hose shower performed at a distance by a spa therapist
Bain simple (20 mins) 7€
Relax in your own marble bath in an individual cubicle
Bain hydroxeur (15 mins) 10€
A hydromassage bath to relieve muscle tension, aches and pains
Immersion (10 mins jets, 20 mins piscine) 9.50€
High pressure underwater jets in a pool, and then relaxation in the thermal sulphur pool
Sauna (30 mins) 10€
In a wooden cabin at 80 degrees, followed by a high-pressure shower
Massage sous l’eau (20 mins) 14€
Underwater massage - on a ramp in the thermal waters, performed by a qualified therapist

Aqua-Gym (30 mins) 6.50€
A gym session in the thermal baths
Enfants 5€
Thermal pool for under 14s. Children admitted from the age of 5 years.
Cataplasmes d’argile et douche (30 mins) 15€
Therapeutic mud wrap followed by a thermal shower
Salle de sports, appareil de musculation, douche pression 6€
Use of the gym and body-building equipment, followed by a thermal pressure shower
Massage relaxants aux huiles essentielles (30 mins) 27€
A relaxing aromatherapy massage performed by a spa therapist
6 days thermal baths ticket 35€

Packages

Forfait no. 1 10€
Simple bath or thermal pool followed by a high pressure shower
Forfait no. 2 20€
Immersion or hydromassage bath and an underwater massage
Forfait no. 3 12€
Sauna and thermal baths
Forfait no. 4 20€
Clay wrap with essential oils, or thermal mud followed by a hydromassage bath
Forfait no. 5 45€
Californian massage followed by a hydromassage bath
Forfait no. 6 36€
Facial treatment (skin cleansing) and clay pack with essential oils, or thermal mud
Forfait no. 7 33€
Facial treatment (skin cleansing) followed by a hydromassage bath

 

Beauty Therapy

Depilatory treatments
½ legs 13€
Whole legs 23€
Armpits or bikini line 8€
Armpits and bikini line 15€
Half legs plus bikini line or armpits 19€
Whole legs plus bikini line or armpits 28€
Half legs plus bikini line plus armpits 26€
Whole legs plus bikini line plus armpits 31€
Face: Upper Lip 5€ Chin 7€ Eye brows 8€

Body therapy
Californian massage 40€
Hydrating massage 40€

Facial therapy
Beauty care (30 mins) (make-up removal, exfoliation, spray, mask, cream) 19€
Skin cleansing (1 hr) (make-up removal, exfoliation, spray, deep-cleansing, sculpting, mask, cream) 30€
Specific treatments (1 hr) 43€
Eye contour 25€

Make-up
Make up with fixative 12€
Eye-lash tint 15€

Manicure
Manicure 18€
Manicure and nail varnish 23€