Rennes-les-Bains

Visit Rennes-les-Bains, Languedoc-Roussillon

Rennes les Bains is a village situated south of Carcassonne in the Aude Department. The town developed with the discovery of its thermal waters in Roman times (several roman artefacts have also been found here including a statue of Mercury).

Rennes les Bains actually has both hot and cold springs, and two wells that were dug in the 19th century. Because of the unusual geological characteristics of the rock the water in the river Sals is naturally salty (hence the name of the river), which is of course very unusual for a river.

The town itself lies along the valley bottom with the tall houses of the town hugging the waters edge, some of them having balconies situated over the river. The river is crossed by both a stone bridge and a more recent pedestrian iron bridge.

The town is now best known for its spa complex which has an outdoor pool that is naturally heated to 33°C. The spa waters here are reputed for their properties in helping with rheumatism and various skin problems.

Rennes les Bains has also received a little recent notoriety as a result of Kate Mosse’s book ‘Sepulchre’ set in Rennes les Bains.

Attractions nearby

The town is a popular base with hikers exploring the surrounding hills or visiting the natural water sources. There are several sites of interest nearby, including the ruined abbey at Alet-les-Bains, the remains of castles at Arques Chateau and Coustaussa Chateau, and the picturesque Calamus Gorges to the south-east.

Rennes-les-Bains is in the heart of Cathar country and very close to Rennes-le-Chateau recently made very famous for its role in Dan Brown’s ‘The Da Vinci Code’. The cathar castles are also within easy reach.

Suggested places to visit near Rennes-les-Bains, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Mosset 28km; Molitg les Bains 30km; Camon 31km; Lagrasse 31km; Eus 33km; Carcassonne 33km; Prades 35km; Villefranche-de-Conflent 37km; Ille sur Tet 37km; Montsegur 40km; Mirepoix 41km; Montolieu 44km; Ax-les-Thermes 45km; Castelnou 46km; Mount Canigou 46km; Fort de Salses 50km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Rennes-les-Bains

Rennes-les-Bains tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Gorges de Galamus - site of natural beauty (16km) : Fontaine Intermittente de Fontestorbes - site of natural beauty (31km) : Eglise de Sainte Marie de Marcevol (Arboussols) - religious monument (32km) : Orgued d'Ille-sur-Tet - site of natural beauty (37km) : Eglise de Trinité d'Aregno (Aregno) - religious monument (37km) : Chapelle de Casenoves (Ille-sur-tet) - religious monument (37km) : Abbaye Saint Michel de Cuixa (Codalet) - religious monument (38km) : Eglise de Sainte-Marie (Corneilla-de-Conflent) - religious monument (40km) :

French version: see Rennes-les-Bains (Francais)