The Abbey of Notre Dame des Neiges, founded in 1850, is a haven of beauty and peace. The community of Cistercian sisters has just settled within this exceptional heritage. They continue the tradition of prayer and hospitality of this place.
The temperature of this source is 53° it is located in the center of the village. Saint Laurent les Bains is ranked 9th among the 60 hottest thermal springs in France.
Description
The water comes out through two horizontal openings located about thirty meters from each other:
The small source is located 10 meters below the "SAIGNE" named after its former owner. It also bore the name of "bath of the poor": it was intended more particularly for the use of the less wealthy. Today, it is captured by the thermal baths.
The Grande Source, with a greater flow, passes under the road. It has been divided since 1829 into three branches: one, called the "source of CAQUET" delivers the public fountain and the other two are captured for treatment.
In 1840, the therapeutic virtues of these waters were accredited by Doctor Alibert, head doctor of the St Louis Hospital in Paris: "Your waters at St Laurent are one of the most precious sources I know, it is unfortunate that they are so little known and they are not at the gates of Paris, I would still send my patients there”, he wrote to Doctor Fuzet, water inspector.
The waters of Saint Laurent les Bains belong to the group of oligo-metallic sodium bicarbonate waters. Their pH for 49.6°C is 7.3.
The origin of these waters is not volcanic. This is surface water that has infiltrated along large fault lines. Going down in depth, it warmed up, dissolved minerals and became loaded with various salts...
Its high temperature of 53° is explained by the rapid rise in water along a large open fault. The depth could reach 2500 meters. The waters have no time to cool. The estimated travel time, from the infiltration of precipitation on the heights to the emergence of thermal water, is 17000 years (carbon 14 dating).
Opening
All year.
We also offer:
More
We offer family cuisine, cooked with local products. On the heights of the village, come and enjoy the view and taste our "homemade" dishes. Terrace with panoramic view. Opening of the bar, during the day!
Prices
| Free access. Attention ! There is no wild source. Only the fountain is free for everyone. |
Location