Alet-les-Bains, France
Alet-les-Bains is a picturesque thermal village with medieval origins, located in the Aude department in the Occitanie region of southern France. Nestled in the narrow valley of the Aude River, it combines Roman-discovered thermal springs with Cathar heritage and historic medieval architecture. This hidden gem offers the perfect blend of peaceful rural life, preserved stone buildings, and stunning natural scenery.
Parking w Alet-les-Bains
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1. Parking at Promenade des Platanes / Allée des Thermes
GPS: 42.995708, 2.257092
Description: Public parking managed by the municipality, located right next to the sports area. Provides easy access to both the historic abbey ruins and the village centre.
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2. Large parking (near thermal springs)
GPS: 43.000472, 2.252649
Description: Spacious gravel parking lot near the thermal springs. Approximately 5 minutes on foot to the village centre.
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3. Parking at the train station
GPS: 42.997852, 2.251896
Description: Small, designated parking lot at the train station. Perfect for travelers arriving by train on the Carcassonne–Rivesaltes line who wish to explore the village on foot.
Exploring Alet-les-Bains
Let's begin at the Promenade des Platanes (A; GPS: 42.995437, 2.256733). From here, it's an easy walk to the village centre and the historic thermal complex.
We follow Allée des Thermes, passing the spa buildings, until we reach the ruins of the Abbey of Notre-Dame (B; GPS: 42.995953, 2.255287). This Benedictine abbey was founded in the 8th century and later became a cathedral and episcopal seat. Its Romanesque arches and medieval stone walls still dominate the hillside.
Descending around the abbey, we notice the massive fortified walls from the 12th century — remains of the former episcopal palace that once defended the village.
Next, we visit the nearby and fascinating Église Saint-André, which was rebuilt in the 19th century. Inside, visitors can admire Gothic murals, including a depiction of Saint Benedict dating from around 1345.
We continue along Rue de la Halle and Rue Calvières, lined with charming half-timbered houses from the 12th to 14th centuries, beautifully adorned with colorful flowers during the summer months.
For a short break, we head to Place de la République (C; GPS: 42.996716, 2.255817), where a riverside café invites us to enjoy local mineral water or a glass of regional wine.
Later, we visit the Piscine Municipale (D; GPS: 43.000578, 2.252240), a municipal swimming pool fed by natural thermal springs. Open in summer, it's located just a few minutes’ walk from the village centre.
To end our walk, we can climb through olive and chestnut groves along the hills above the village, where panoramic views stretch across the Aude Valley and surrounding vineyards.
After such an interesting walk, we've certainly worked up an appetite — so let’s head to the charming Hostellerie de l’Évêché (E; GPS: 42.996730, 2.255045), located at 2 Avenue Nicolas Pavillon. This traditional restaurant serves regional cuisine and local wines — reservations are recommended.
For a light meal or a cup of coffee, it’s also worth visiting the nearby Jardin La Buvette (F; GPS: 42.995843, 2.255835) — a cozy eatery housed in a historic building. It’s a perfect place to enjoy local mineral water or a glass of wine in a peaceful atmosphere.
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