Thermes romains d'Évaux-les-Bains, Roman thermal ruins in Évaux-les-Bains, France.
The Roman thermal complex at Évaux-les-Bains is what remains of a large bathing facility with several chambers, steam rooms, and a long corridor that connected different sections. The structure shows how Romans engineered their water and heating systems to take full advantage of the hot springs available right on site.
The bathing complex was built in the second half of the first century and served as a retreat for Roman soldiers. A major fire in the third century destroyed the facility, and it was never rebuilt to its former extent.
The place name comes from the Roman deity Ivaos, associated with the healing springs that flowed here. You can sense how important these waters were to people passing through, as the baths sit naturally within the landscape where the mineral springs still emerge.
The site is accessible and well-marked, with plenty of room to walk around and explore the remains from different angles. Wear sturdy shoes since the ground can be uneven, and allow time for a leisurely walk through the different areas to take in all the details.
An underground aqueduct brought water from mountain springs to the baths, using only natural slope to transport it over a great distance without any pumps. You can still see parts of this hidden system today, which reveals how cleverly the Romans solved water delivery problems.
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