The must-haves of Balaruc-les-Bain

 

Whether or not you have booked your 18-day cure in Balaruc-les-Bains, come and discover one of the town's must-see buildings during your stay: the thermal baths!

Like an ocean liner moored with a view of the Thau lagoon, the Balaruc-les-Bains thermal baths attract thousands of visitors every year who come to enjoy the benefits of the thermal water, which is renowned for its rheumatological and phlebological properties, making it the leading spa in France.

But you don't necessarily need a medical prescription to take a dip in the pools. The thermal baths also offer spa breaks of a few days or you can always admire the unique architecture during a walk.

If you wish to test the benefits of the thermal water of the town during your stay in Balaruc-les-Bains, go to the O'Balia thermal spa. 

The first thermal spa in the Mediterranean, it first invites you to bask in its pools where the water in the bubbling baths, swan necks and waterfalls is heated to no less than 34°C.

Then let yourself be tempted by the spa area called "La Magie des Mains" where you can be "pampered" with a Monceau treatment, a Bloomea treatment, a Tui Na massage...

If you want to know more about the O'Balia thermal spa, we invite you to read our dedicated article.

 

If you prefer to combine the calm of nature with the discovery of the history of Balaruc-les-Bains, plan to visit the Mediterranean Ancient Garden during your stay.

Designed according to the different archetypes of Antiquity and dedicated to the knowledge of Mediterranean plant essences and their uses, it invites you to travel in each of its seven areas dedicated to agriculture, horticulture, the sacred, medicine, magic, cooking and cosmetics.

Wind your way through the pergolas, arbours, fountains and small amphitheatre that dot the gardens and take a leap in time from Roman times to the present day.

Another place to take a walk while immersing yourself in a part of the history of Balaruc-les-Bains: the Georges Brassens and Laurent Spinosi promenade!

Paying homage to the Balaruc fisherman Laurent Spinosi, known as "Lolo", and to the singer and poet Georges Brassens from Sète, this walk runs along the Balaruc-les-Bains peninsula on one side and the Thau lagoon on the other for about 2 kilometres. 

It is ideal if you are looking for an unobstructed view of Sète and its Mont Saint-Clair; Mèze, the first small fishing port in the Mediterranean; Bouzigues, the cradle of shellfish farming; Agde, the Greek city born at the foot of the Mont Saint-Loup volcano; or Marseillan, made famous for its Noilly Prat cellars. 

Don't miss the "Brassens and Lolo Spinosi" trompe l'oeil along the way, or the plunging view of the Vise, a funnel 100 metres in diameter, at the end of the route.

Would you like to spend an evening at the theatre? Then come and discover the cultural centre Le Piano Tiroir during your holidays in Balaruc-les-Bains. 

Rich in quality cultural programming, it offers to admire culture in all its forms: theatre, music, dance, painting, cinema... In its 202-seat theatre. You will also find a gallery for exhibitions and a residence room created to support artistic creation.

What better way to discover the soul of a town than to go to its market? 

Balaruc-les-Bains offers you the chance to wake up all year round in the heart of the alleys of its open-air market, in the Charles de Gaulle park. On market days, lovers of stalls, curiosities, fresh produce and local specialities are invited not to forget their shopping bag. In this colourful atmosphere, you will find regional food products, flowers and hawkers, among others. 

The spa town also features many craftsmen at its craft market. On site, you can find all sorts of creations: jewellery, ceramics, paintings, decorated glasses... To bring back in your suitcase!

 

With your family or friends, come and try out different water sports on the Thau lagoon with the Manuréva water sports centre. Whatever your age, you can rent a windsurf, paddle and/or catamaran. Or prefer a course of 1 to 5 days to learn/improve your windsurfing, catamaran, optimist, paddle, canoe...

For a more gentle outing on the Thau lagoon, come aboard the Baroulaïre, an Echo 90 (sailboat) where you can learn to manoeuvre, handle the helm or find out more about the flora and fauna of the Thau Archipelago.

To discover the Balaruc-les-Bains peninsula in a gentle way, rent a bike from one of our partners and follow one of the cycle routes. For example, you can cycle along part of the Thau lagoon before reaching the town centre and its shops; or you can take a trip to the Usines district. 

If you have the soul of an adventurer, don't hesitate to escape to Balaruc-le-Vieux via the Angle creek; to Sète before joining Marseillan-Plage thanks to the Lido greenway; or, for the more sporty, to make an escape to the Camargue from Sète with the Via Rhôna.

Find all the practical information in this dedicated article.

This top of the must-sees had a taste of too little? Here is a little bonus to extend your escape in one of the 14 communes of our destination: Balaruc-le-Vieux, Balaruc-les-Bains, Bouzigues, Frontignan, Gigean, Loupian, Marseillan, Mèze, Mireval, Montbazin, Poussan, Sète, Vic-la-Gardiole and Villeveyrac...