Le Monêtier-les-Bains, commune in Hautes-Alpes, France
Le Monêtier-les-Bains is a small village in the high mountains at about 1,500 feet (450 meters), known for its hot springs that rise from the earth at around 111 degrees Fahrenheit (44 Celsius). The modern Grand Baths facility, opened in 2008, offers visitors mineral pools, massage spaces, and a solarium with mountain views.
The settlement was known in Roman times for its hot springs, where bathing facilities were built nearly 2000 years ago. In the 9th century a priory was founded, and later the village became part of a self-governing community that made its own laws and even minted its own coins.
The thermal springs have shaped life here for centuries, drawing people who believe in the healing power of the water. Visitors and locals alike gather at the baths to experience a tradition that has remained central to the community.
The village is easy to walk through and sits at a good elevation for exploring the surrounding mountains. Trails start from the village in warmer months for hiking, while winter brings snow and opportunities for skiing and snowshoeing.
The village was once part of the Republic of the Escartons, a unique self-governing community with the rare right to make its own laws and mint its own coins. This mountain autonomy lasted several centuries and traces of this independence remain visible in how the place sees itself today.
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