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Origin and history

The Thermes de Saint-Sauveur, located in Luz-Saint-Sauveur, embodies the romantic thermal architecture of the second half of the 19th century, while integrating Pyrenean vernacular elements. Their monumental facade, adorned with a doric-column portal in white marble (perhaps Angoulême) and a wrought iron gate, contrasts with a two-paned local slate cover. Inside, a large hall with bays in the middle of the skin in grey marble (probably from Arudy) and with ochre walls houses the old bath cabins, today part of the thermal center Luzea. The building, with two sober wings, offers a spectacular view of the mountainous landscape.

The history of the thermal baths dates back to the 16th century, with a sulphur source recognized for its therapeutic virtues from 1572 by the bishop of Tarbes, then officially declared a source of state in 1730. In the 18th century, Abbé Bézegua, healed by its waters, installed three private baths, before the site was unified with the existing public baths. In 1808, the establishment was modernized (marble baths, showers), then rebuilt between 1829 and 1832 under the direction of architect Pierre Artigala, after visits by the Duchess of Angoulême and Berry.

The fame of the thermal baths culminated during the Second Empire: Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie stayed there in 1859, triggering an expansion led by architect J. Normand and engineer Jules François. The building, unchanged since that time, was listed in the Historical Monuments in 1975. After renovations in 1995 and 2004 (extension Luzea by Michel Authie), it adapts to modern thermoludism, while maintaining its original cabins and its multicoloured marble. A thalaxion machine installed in 2009 earned him the Innovation Prize in 2010.

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