Welcome to lacaune les bains

Situated on the continental divide, Lacaune is subjected to the conflicting Mediterranean and oceanic climatic influences, but its actual climate may be referred to as a mountain climate, with average altitude being 850 meters. Lacaune is dominated by the two highest summits in the Tarn: Montgrand (1267 meters) and the Montalet (1259 meters). Owing to the great diversity of the countryside, where luxurious broad-leaved and coniferous forests alternate with vast open agricultural spaces, this region offers a remarkable palette of colours, where differing hues of blue and green of the mountain lakes meet.

Set in the heart of the Monts de Lacaune, last foothills of the Massif Central, the city is 120 kms (2 hours) from Montpellier and Toulouse, 45 kms from Castres, 70 kms from Albi, and only one hour from the Mediterranean coast.

The commune has been a registered climatic, tourist and hydromineral site since 1913..

Established in the last foothills of the Massif Central, the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park benefits from a priviledged geographical location: like a balcony opening out on the plains, these " southern mountains " overlook the Lauragais grain slopes and the wine crescent of the Languedoc; the Mediterranean is not far away...

Territory with an affirmed mountain identity, the Park unites very diverse landscapes, that is why seven different open discovery spaces have been defined all the better to welcome you: Caroux, Montagne Noire, Monts de Lacaune, Monts d'Orb, Plateau des Lacs, Sidobre, Vignes et Vallées .

Sunrise over the Mediterranean, sunset over the Atlantic...two-thirds covered with woods and forests, its 260,000 hectares (2600 km2) territory extends over 93 communes, equally distributed over the two departments Tarn and Hérault (Tarn: 47 communes, 62,000 inhabitants and 140,000 hectares (1400 km2) ; Hérault: 46 communes, 20,000 inhabitants and 120,000 hectares (1200 km2), and straddling the two regions Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon.

Situated on the continental divide, the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park enjoys a double climatic influence: Atlantic from the west, Mediterranean from the east. This particularity is illustrated by original and diverse animal and plant species, and by the exceptional ecological systems and landscapes found here: the granite massif of the Sidobre region, the forests of the Montagne Noire, the pastures of the Monts de Lacaune, the scrubland of the Minervois, the mineral ridges of the Caroux and l'Espinousse, the prairies criss-crossed by hedges and trees, the vinyards of Faugères and Saint-Chinian and the fruit-producing valleys...

This continually renewing diversity constitues the essential richness of the Park.

The Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park organizes a series of conferences and discovery outings within its boundaries. These special programs are multithematic (local knowledge, patrimony, history, fauna, oenology...) and take place during the months of July and August; their goal is to enhance knowledge of local heritage and to facilitate exchanges between the inhabitants and visitors to the Haut-Languedoc.

• Soft and in bloom, she strolls along peaceful riverbeds where fishermen angle for trout.
• Tortured and jagged, she invites you to explore boulders fallen like ruins, labyrinthine caves, or bogs and other as-yet-undiscovered resurgences.
• Dramatic, she flaunts her grandeur with natural cirques where vultures and other birds of prey soar.
• Untamed, she returns to her essence in the grasses of the limestone plateau where cardabelle blooms.
• Tranquil and in full bloom, she offers charm combined with water and verdant landscapes.

These standing stones were erected during a period which scientists situate between 2500 and 4000 B.C. The area around Lacaune is considered to have the highest concentration of menhir statues in Europe.

The statues are made of sandstone or granite and are different from the Breton standing stones in their sculpted male or female representations.

These statues have kept their mystery : representations of God? Of the mother goddess? Markers of heroes' burial places? Or simply milestones of transhumance roads from the Mediterranean to Rouergue?

A 40 kilometer circuit lets you discover these " silent goddesses " whose meaning remains most enigmatic. It is also possible to complete the journey in one day, in a horse-drawn buggy, enlivened by a hearty country picnic.

The " Peyro Levado ", the standing stone menhir, is the tallest in Europe (4 meters 50).

It was classified Historical Monument in 1883.

You will discover, in this 16th century building, the day-to-day life of the inhabitants of Lacaune from the 18th century up until the year 1940, by way of the clothing, tools, furniture and lifestyles of our ancestors.

Opening Hours:

From April 1st to June 14th : every day from 2 pm to 6 pm , except Monday.

From June 15th to June 30th :every day from 10 am to 12 noon and from 2 pm to 6 pm, except Monday.

From July 1st to August 31st : every day from 10 am to 12 noon and from 2 pm to 6 pm.

From September 1st to September 15th : every day from 10 am to 12 noon and from 2 pm to 6 pm, except Monday.

From September 16th to November 1st : every day from 2 pm to 6 pm, except Monday.

The rest of the year, upon reservation and only for groups.

Museum information available in French, English, Spanish, Dutch, German, and Occitan (the langue d'oc).

Departure: Place Général de Gaulle in front of Tourist office.
To take the street with grasses in direction of the church (15). To leave on the left in the street Edouard Barbey and to turn right in the first street. To pass the bridge of Larroque (Larroque Bernard died in 1366 by defending the inhabitants of Lacaune against devastations of the lorry driver-mercenaries - See the stele on the bridge), then to assemble the coast of Calmels. In top you will find there:

• The castle of Calmels, old Languedocien country house belonging to the Family of Calmels, former Protestant family presents to Lacaune since at least XVIth and fallen in the heritage of the family De Naurois which made it alter between 1858 and 1880.
• The park and l' arboretum of a surface of 5,5 ha, whose beech is the gasoline prevalent, shelters many local or established forest gasolines (34 different species). The conditions of the medium are excellent for the growth of the vegetation (pluviometry > 1400 mm, deep grounds and expenses). To consult the folder on l' arboretum ONF.
• The Tower of Calmels, threshing floor located in a tower at central die of a circumference at its base of 77 m (around which the horses turned to separate the grain from the straw). Admire the remarkable frame.

To descend the street from the Low Smallholding (the 3rd street on the right of the Tower), formerly this street sheltered lime kilns on the right, further the mills fullers from Paradou (to finish avoiding cloth). Then in bottom to take the way on the left, to join a street that you follow on the left. In the intersection to turn right towards the public garden. To admire the large sequoia 3 m in diameter. The another side you see the casino. Its notoriety of the old thermal spa and climatic at last century, Lacaune knew to preserve this building. It is only department, one currently finds machines there with under. While leaving the garden, to turn right on l' avenue Ludovic de Naurois then to join the Tourist office by the street of the Town hall.

Discover the old alley-ways of the city and the most characteristic elements of our architectural patrimony:

• The Pisseurs Fountain
• The Griffoul Washing Places
• The Courroupias Fountain
• The Maison de la Charcuterie (Pork meat trade museum)

In front of Tourist office, you will contemplate the statue-mehnir of Granisse, rules female out of Permian sandstone, Neolithic time end (approximately 3000 years before Jesus Christ). FacingTourist office, you will then borrow the staircases on the right towards the place where the fair was held with the asses. You will admire the frontage rebirth, native house of Lieutenant Colonel Bouisset, author of " Galette" , always sung anthem with Saint-Cyr military school and will arrive then on the place of Griffoul.

You will observe:

• The fountain of the pisseurs, classified historic building in 1913.
• Basins of the laundrette installed with the XIXth pennies vaults probably of XVIth. Admire engravings on the lintel and the right feet. Stop you to visit the Museum of the Lacaune Old man, old consular house.

Finished in 1589, it is classified historic building in 1913. While taking again the walk, you will pass in front of the old barracks of the dragons (building with 4 windows in dog sitting towards east and West) and will continue until the fountain of Courroupias, oldest of Lacaune.

You will not fail to then contemplate the point of view on the city. Admire then the cross of Peyrehuc which points out a cruel episode of the crusade against the Albigensians. While continuing, you will arrive at the Ramond Spinning mill founded in 1841 (machines in operating condition, registered with thr additional inventory of the historic buildings).

Advance until the House of the Pork-butchery, where you will discover this building of the XVIIIth rebuilt century with thr site of thr old maladrery.

You will pass in front of the fountain of the Virgin whose base contains a bottle containing the names of the residents which, to the end of XIXth gave thr money to restore it.

You will descend finally until the Notre-Dame church built in 1668 on the site of an old Romance vault.

Located on the Salt Route and benefitting from the meeting of three different climatic influences: oceanic, Mediterranean and mountain, Lacaune has built its renown from the quality of its salted meat products.

This tour combines a visit of the Charcuterie House with the discovery of an artisanal meat-salting enterprise where all stages in the making of these pork meat products will be revealed to you.

More than 120 kms of forest trails and marked pathways let you devote yourself to the pleasures of walking, right in the heart of the forest of the Monts de Lacaune.

Numerous topographical guides allow you to prepare your itineraries: Topoguide des Monts de Lacaune, Chamina des Monts de Lacaune...

180 kms of mountain biking circuits are marked out and allow everyone to practise, from the most experienced rider to the beginner.

A guide is available to accompany you and to show you some exceptional sites.

During the month of June : Mountain Biking outings organized by the Biking Club of Lacaune (Vélo Club Lacaunais).