Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda is a commune created in 1942 and located in the southeast of the Pyrénées-Orientales department, in the Occitania region (Pyrenees, France).
Historically and culturally, the commune is in Vallespir, a former viscounty (included in the Middle Ages in the viscounty of Castelnou), attached to France by the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659) and approximately corresponding to the Tech valley.
Exposed to the oceanic climate, it is drained by the Tech, the Terme and the Mondony rivers. The town has a remarkable natural heritage: a Natura 2000 site (“the Tech”) and two natural areas of ecological, fauna and flora interest.
Main attractions
- The old Saint-Quentin church is mentioned in 869, it was undoubtedly built shortly after the founding of the monastery for the inhabitants who had settled in the surrounding area. Consecrated again in 1061 following restoration (or expansion) work, it was remodeled in the Gothic period then protected in the modern era, classified as a historic monument. It was unfortunately decommissioned and razed in 1932 to allow the construction of hotel rooms.
- The Saint-Quentin church, dedicated to Saint Quentin, is the current parish church of Amélie, built from 1868 to 1871. It preserves a statue of the Virgin in Romanesque art from the 13th century, coming from the old church Saint-Quentin. The bell tower has a carillon of seven bells.
- Sainte-Marie Church of Amélie-les-Bains.
- Saint-Christ chapel in Amélie-les-Bains.
- Fort-les-Bains (Historic monument logo Classified MH (1909)): fort overlooking the town and built in 1670.
SPA and springs
The town has numerous sulphur springs (20-60C.) that have been used as baths by those with rheumatism and illnesses of the lungs. By the end of the 19th century, there were two bathing establishments, one of which preserved remains of Roman baths, and a large, military-thermal hospital.
How to get to?
From Paris: 9 hr 10 min (883 km) via A71 and A75
From Perpignan: 46 min (37.2 km) via D900 and D115
From Andorra: 3 hr 22 min (202 km) via N116
From Barcelona: 2 hr 16 min (186 km) via AP-7
From Madrid: 8 hr 4 min (790 km) via A-2, AP-2 and AP-7
From Monaco: 5 hr 23 min (532 km) via A8 and A9
From Moscow: 38 hr (3,461 km) via E30/M1
From Belgrade: 18 hr 42 min (1,838 km) via E70
From Istanbul: 30 hr (2,789 km) via E70
From Bern: 8 hr 11 min (790 km) via A9
Main information
Area: 29,43 km2
Population: 3 565
Coordinates: 42°28′34″N 2°40′21″E
Language: Catalan, French
Currency: Euro
Visa: Schengen
Time: Central European UTC +1
