Renowned for the benefits of its spring water, the charming medieval village of Alet-les-Bains, in the upper Aude valley, has beautiful stone and timber-framed houses, as seen in the picturesque square, the Place de la République. Not far from there stand the remains of an ancient Benedictine monastery, built in ochre sandstone, which was founded in the 9th century, the Abbey Cathedral of Our Lady of Alet: the romantic ruins of a Romanesque apse, the unfinished Gothic choir and the chapter house of the northern entrance.
Fans of relaxation and swimming should be sure to sample the delights of the outdoor spring water swimming pool, which is open in July and August. Fans of whitewater sports can gleefully descend the Aude by canoe-kayak, raft or hydrospeed!