Eaux-Bonnes, commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France
Eaux-Bonnes is a small commune in the French Pyrenees located in the Ossau Valley at about 2,450 feet (750 meters) elevation. The village has Second Empire-style buildings, green hills, forests, and natural hot springs that have been valued for centuries for their health properties.
The thermal springs were discovered as a remedy in the 1500s, but the town grew as a fashionable spa resort during the 1800s. The arrival of Empress Eugenie and other prominent figures helped develop the impressive buildings and facilities that still define the village today.
The village is deeply connected to its natural hot springs, which have drawn people for centuries. The way locals and visitors use the thermal facilities and outdoor spaces shows how the waters shape daily life and the community's identity.
The village is open year-round and walkable on foot, with many hiking trails in the surrounding mountains. The nearby ski resort Gourette, about 5 miles (8 kilometers) away, offers winter activities, while thermal facilities operate throughout the year.
In the nearby village of Aas, shepherds developed a rare whistling language before the 1800s to communicate over long distances. This unique tradition only became known to the wider public in the 1950s and is now valued as a cultural heritage of Europe.
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