Between nature, culture and heritage, the village of Alet-les-bains offers a pleasant and relaxing setting for holidays with family or friends.

 

Alet-les-bains is located about thirty kilometers south of the City of Carcassonne and 8 kilometers upstream of Limoux. The village of Alet-les-bains nestles in  mountainous terrain  up to 750 meters high.

 

The village has been populated since prehistory. It was also a popular site and renowned since the Gallo-Roman era for its thermal waters. At the time, the station was called "Pagus Electensis" which means: the chosen place, the privileged place.

 

The history of the village is closely linked to that of the Benedictine abbey which was founded in the 9th century and dedicated to “Notre Dame”. The village was fortified by ramparts and ditches at the end of the 12th century.

 

In 1318 the village became the seat of a new bishopric and the village underwent a revival which was halted by the Wars of Religion, which were the cause of the destruction of the cathedral as well as numerous houses in the town.

 

Walking through the streets of the village, you will probably feel like going back in time. From the ancient Roman colombarium to the medieval houses and the beautiful mansions of the Renaissance, a few steps will take you threw the centuries.

 

Nostradamus would had also succumbed to the charm of the narrow streets shaded by the corbelle of the facades.

 

In the 17th century, to bring more comfort to his parishioners, Bishop Nicolas Pavillon built the bridge over the Aude. He provided the town with an advanced irrigation system as well as a seminary and an institution of the Regular Ladies.

 

Before losing his Bishopric during the Revolution, the last Bishop "Charles de la Cropte de Chanterac" sold the Gothic choir in 1776 to allow passage of the present “Avenue Nicolas Pavillon”.