Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, Thermal spa town in Nord, France
Saint-Amand-les-Eaux is a commune in the arrondissement of Valenciennes, Nord, sitting along the Scarpe River where low brick buildings line narrow streets. The central square opens onto gardens and parks, with the freestanding abbey bell tower rising above the rooftops and small shops clustered near the water.
A monastery took root here in 630 when the missionary Amandus founded a religious community that drew pilgrims and travelers for over a thousand years. The Revolution of 1789 dissolved the abbey, but the thermal baths remained and expanded in the 19th century as physicians recognized the healing properties of the spring water.
Local families have gathered for generations at the weekly market, where vendors sell regional cheeses, fresh produce and honey near the old abbey grounds. Residents often stop at the boulangerie for bread in the morning, then walk along the river path where fishermen set up their rods under the willow trees.
The thermal baths sit on the northern edge of town and can be reached on foot from the main square, with flat paths suitable for wheelchairs. Visitors can inquire at the information office about treatment times or simply stroll through the public gardens that surround the spa complex.
Ceramic workshops produced faience here for centuries, using the river to transport clay and finished wares, and many pieces still appear in museums and private collections today. Some buildings near the riverfront still display old faience tiles on their facades, reminders of that craft tradition.
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