Salies-de-Béarn: “Sud Ouest” takes you on a tour of the renovated thermal baths, which have reopened after six months of work

After half a year of work and a few minor delays, the Salies-de-Béarn thermal baths finally reopened their doors this Monday, May 19. The renovation cost just over seven million euros. A total of 2,700 spa guests are expected in 2025. The France Thermes group, the owner of the spa, is expecting 6,000 visitors within six years.

"We were able to welcome our 280 spa guests this Monday morning," said Frédéric Moreau, director of the Salies-de-Béarn thermal baths, which reopened on May 19 after six months of work. The project had been delayed.

Owned by the France Thermes group since 2021, the establishment, built in 1857, was rebuilt in 1888 following a fire. Ten times saltier than seawater, Salies water is renowned for its soothing properties. The site's director took "Sud Ouest" on a guided tour.

The transformed reception area is organized around desks in a circle in the center, replacing the ticket counters at the end of the hall. "The changing rooms have also been redone, as have the restrooms and the thermal pool. However, we haven't touched the treatment rooms," explains Frédéric Moreau. "However, we have renovated almost the entire wing dedicated to the spa, which is listed as a Historic Monument." Still under construction, the aquatic relaxation pool is expected to open next week.

The changing rooms have been equipped with individual lockers ("more practical than clothes racks") and the bathrobes are now beige-brown, which prevents yellowing when they were white. "The new feature is the premium treatment: you can now take a conventional spa treatment," emphasizes the director. "We have 5 cabins on the spa side, compared to 40 on the treatment side."

"We can now have a conventional spa treatment. We have 5 cabins on the spa side, compared to 40 on the treatment side."

Michèle and Patrick, a retired couple from Moselle, came to try out this new formula. "It's calm, we're less stressed," says Michèle. "This is just getting started, you have to be a little lenient," says Patrick, "but otherwise it's very good." Having come three years in a row until 2021, these regulars at the spa appreciate the changes. They're happy to be back despite the 1,200-kilometer journey. "We come for our rheumatism," says the duo. "We stopped for three years, but we saw the change," they exclaim. "The spa is doing us a lot of good."

The town of Salies is renowned for its rheumatology and gynecology services, particularly those dealing with infertility and endometriosis. Hence the new name: Selya Resort Thermal & Spa, which aims to attract female clients.

In the hot water pools, relaxation is evident on the faces. Massages, poultices, water jets: the treatments aim to provide well-being. A little further on, we come across a new space set up in an outdoor patio, where two jacuzzis stand. "We're going to put deckchairs, plants, and a music area there," comments Frédéric Moreau. Nearby, an old water reservoir tower, awaiting renovation, has been covered with a textile covering.

The work cost just over seven million euros for the 2,500 m² building. The thermal baths employ 25 permanent employees, increasing to 55 with seasonal workers. 2,700 spa guests are expected this year. The France Thermes group is counting on 4,000 next year and 6,000 within six years. The overall investment of 32 million includes the renovation of the former Vacanciel center into a hotel residence, which is expected to open in early 2027.