Aulus-les-Bains | |
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 Aulus-les-Bains village | |
 Location of Aulus-les-Bains | |
  Aulus-les-Bains  Aulus-les-Bains | |
| Coordinates:42°47′30″N1°20′19″E / 42.7917°N 1.3386°E /42.7917; 1.3386 | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Occitania |
| Department | Ariège |
| Arrondissement | Saint-Girons |
| Canton | Couserans Est |
| Intercommunality | CC Couserans - Pyrénées |
| Government | |
| • Mayor(2020–2026) | Patrick Boyer[1] |
Area 1 | 52.24 km2 (20.17 sq mi) |
| Population (2023)[2] | 132 |
| • Density | 2.53/km2 (6.54/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 09029 /09140 |
| Elevation | 719–2,698 m (2,359–8,852 ft) (avg. 750 m or 2,460 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Aulus-les-Bains (French pronunciation:[olyslebɛ̃];Occitan:Aulús) is acommune in theAriègedepartment in theOccitanie region of south-westernFrance.
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Aulus-les-Bains is located at the head of the Garbet river valley and beneath theGuzet-Neige ski resort some 35 km south-east ofSaint-Girons and 25 km south-west ofTarascon-sur-Ariège at an altitude of 750 metres. Access to the commune is by the D8F road which branches from the D3 west of the commune and follows a tortuous route to the village before continuing by an even more tortuous route to join the D18 in the east. The D32 road comes fromErcé in the north to the village. The commune is mountainous and heavily forested with large areas in the south above the snow line.[3]
The village is best known for its thermal springs and spa complex. There are severalBelle Époque buildings with some still offering hotel accommodation. The village is very popular in winter for skiing and in the summer for walking and cycling. The local beauty spot and waterfall, theCascade d'Ars, is a one-hour walk from the village. Cyclists can climb theCol de Latrappe or theCol d'Agnes directly from the village.
There are two holiday cottages: thePresbytère and theGoulue. Other local amenities include a bar/café, a pizzeria/health food restaurant, a tobacconist, a mini supermarket, a post office, and a butcher shop.
TheGarbet river rises in the commune and gathers a very large number of tributaries in the commune as it flows north-west through the village to join theSalat north ofOust. There are numerous streams and ponds throughout the commune which all flow to join the Garbet.[3]
From the early 19th century, Aulus expanded as a healthspa, frequented by "invalids of love" or "young people with shameful illnesses". This came about after asyphilitic army lieutenant had found some relief in its waters, probably because they counteracted the effects of themercury then used to treat syphilis patients. The lieutenant's regiment spread the word: by 1849 Aulus had three hotels, a new bridge and an avenue ofacacia trees to attract visitors.
During theSecond World War in January 1942, 686 foreign Jews were sent to stay in Aulus. TheVichy government arrested 174 Polish Jews out of this group on 26 August 1942 and took them toVernet. A further 100 were added from elsewhere in the department then they were all taken toDrancy on the way toAuschwitz. On arrival all but 44 were killed and only 26 survived the war. A further 266 Jews were arrested by the Germans on 9 January 1943 and only 83 survived from this group.[4]
List of mayors[5]
| From | To | Name | Party | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2008 | Jean-Michel Rossell | PS | |
| 2008 | 2020 | Michel Veyssière | PCF |
The inhabitants of the commune are known asAulusiens orAulusiennes in French.[6]
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Aulus-les-Bains is a hydro-mineral resort whose sources, which were known to the Romans, found fame at the beginning of the 19th century. Today Aulus-les-Bains is still best known for its hot springs. With syphilis now curable, the village markets itself as the "Cholesterol Spa".[9] The water from the springs is also used to treat ailments such as urinary problems, arthritis, and some disorders of the nervous system. The village is also the point of departure for the many hikers wishing to visit the surrounding valleys and mountains.
TheGR10 hiking trail passes through the commune from theLac d'Izourt in the south-west toUstou in the west.[13]
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