Dax

Dax in the Landes département of Aquitaine is France's busiest thermal resort, welcoming over 60,000 spa visitors annually to its celebrated mud experiences — the warm peloïd mud of Dax, naturally heated by the thermal springs and enriched by organic matter, is the defining treatment of this major spa city, traditionally associated with relaxation and muscular comfort. The sulphur-rich chloride springs emerge at around 60°C throughout the city centre, and the famous Fontaine Chaude — a large outdoor spring in the heart of the old town — has flowed continuously since Roman times. Dax is a major destination within the French thermal tradition, giving it a distinctive wellness atmosphere among leisure thermal resorts. The city's Gallo-Roman heritage, its position on the Chemin de Saint-Jacques pilgrimage route, and the Landes pine forest surroundings add cultural richness to its thermal reputation.