Thermal spa and mineral waters

• Thermal spa photos
• Spa sculptures
• Geology of the Fountains Of Escot

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Historical Background

Proudly displayed in the grand salon is a copy of the original patent bestowed upon Fountains Of Escot by Catherine de Bourbon. Catherine de Bourbon was the sister of «Good King Henry IV» and she, after her visit to Fountains Of Escot, gave her royal approval of the thermal spa and mineral waters. This royal patent, dated 1591, declares that the water is good for bathing, drinking and has considerable healing properties. Traditionally it was said to be good for problems of the liver, kidneys, stomach and skin.

The Eco Museum of the Aspe Valley at Sarrance attests to the prehistoric use of these thermal springs at the Fountains Of Escot. One of these documents «Miraculous Springs and Popular SPAs of the Aspe Valley» is available on-line. Fountains Of Escot features in many books of the Aspe Valley and also in the «German Wikipedia». Most historical documents can be found at Pau, in particular at the museum of Pau.

SPA Ruins

A small footpath leads from the courtyard down to the river and historical spa building. In this building you can see the ruins of the old stone bathing cabins and the thermal water channels.

Further down there is the «thermal grotto» where a small stone pool and thermal water storage is located. Further still, along the banks of the river, the Roman wells can be found. See the «Property plan».

Roman Wells

The road that passes in front of the property was originally build by the Romans as their main route through to the Iberian peninsula. There are several Roman wells and channels carved into the rock.

According to the local speleologists, in the past, the river bed was considerably lower. Today the river is very close to the wells and some of them have been damaged by river erosion or covered by sand.

As mentioned in the Eco-Musemum there are also some building remains above the thermal station which date from Roman times.

Thermal Waters Today

Today most of the thermal water is not being used and it goes straight down to the river. Enough water emerges at 3 points: The stone cabins in the thermal spa; the roman wells with their channels carved on the rock; and at the grotto where is readily available from a small tap.

The water is perfectly safe as it emerges at a gentle constant 27°C all year round. This means that in summer it does not feel that warm, but in winter it is actually steaming. The water is extremely pure as it comes from very deep down after filtering for hundreds of years. See the «Thermal Waters Cycle» page.

The Cure

It is now known that in this deep warm water live special types of bacteria, that use sulphur and other minerals as their energy source. This benign bacteria together with different mineral concentrations is what gives thermal waters its healing qualities.

Thus it appears «primitive cultures» were right . . . thermal springs are alive. Thermal spring waters are indeed living curing waters! Even today some people are referred by doctors and come to collect the water. You too can apply «the cure» and drink the thermal mineral waters.

Note: 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 may signifficantly reduce their consumption of medications.