Bains thermaux de Befato

The Bains Thermaux de Befato are natural thermal springs associated with the Befato area near Ranomafana in the Fianarantsoa Region of central-eastern Madagascar, where oligomineral waters emerge in the forested highlands and have been used in colonial-era bathing facilities that represent a significant piece of Malagasy spa heritage from the French administration period. The springs, developed approximately 80 kilometres from Antsirabe in the rolling highland landscape between the central plateau and the eastern escarpment, provided the French colonial community with a secondary thermal resort complementing the more developed facilities at Antsirabe. The surrounding landscape of terraced rice paddies, eucalyptus plantations, and remnant highland forest reflects the complex layering of Malagasy traditional agriculture, colonial land-use, and remaining natural vegetation that characterises the Fianarantsoa highlands.