The thermal spa in Molitg-Les-Bains was the first facility established by the Chaîne Thermale du Soleil. This history gives the town a tangible connection to the world of thermal spas. Today, individually bookable stays focused on health and well-being are also available. As the options may change, check which types of stays can currently be booked before making your plans.
Thermal history and the Church of Sainte-Marie
The Church of Sainte-Marie also offers a glimpse into the town’s architectural history. It is a single-nave Romanesque building that appears to date from the late 12th or early 13th century. The date is not entirely certain; this very uncertainty makes it an interesting destination for travellers interested in Romanesque architecture.
A concert of the Pablo Casals Festival is held in the church every year. The specific programme may vary. From April to November, Sainte-Marie is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If visiting the church or attending the concert is central to your stay, check the opening hours or programme in advance. When checking opening hours, be sure to take both the season and the days of the week into account.
Chapels and the Château de Molitg
The Chapelle des Bains, also known as the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bon Secours, was built in 1854 in the Neo-Gothic style. It was built at the request of the “baigneurs,” the spa visitors of the time, who found the stony, steep path to the village church too arduous. The building therefore also reflects a very practical concern of visitors at the time. In the 20th century, the chapel was enhanced with stained-glass windows donated by the Auter family and Adrien Barthélémy.
The Romanesque Sainte-Marie and the Neo-Gothic Chapelle des Bains, built in 1854, represent different periods of construction. The Château de Molitg is another notable building: it is a fortified house adjoining the church. The château’s four defensive towers were once connected by a battlement walk. Together, these details offer a historical perspective spanning from the church’s probable medieval construction period to the 20th-century stained-glass windows.
Walks and excursions in the surrounding area
Nearby, the ruins of the Château de Paracolls stand on a granite spur overlooking the Castellane. They can be reached on foot from the thermal spa park. Trail conditions can change; check them before setting off. Part of the chapel dedicated to Saint Peter is also located at Paracolls.
For a walk without a named building as its destination, the surrounding area offers easy trails with lovely views of the village and mountains. The tourist office in Molitg also organises easy local hikes lasting up to three hours. Emmanuel organises guided visits to the surrounding villages from there. These are different options: you can choose a scenic walk or consider an organised hike or a guided village visit.
Guided hikes with a Guide de Pays or an Accompagnateur en Montagne are also available in the surrounding area. The tourist office’s seasonal programmes may change, so check the dates in advance. Dates for individual guided hikes may also vary depending on the guides. This allows you to plan around the specific visits and hikes on offer rather than assuming set dates.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Jean-Pla-De-Corts, Planèzes, Bages, Nohèdes, Prades, Arles-Sur-Tech, Saint-Pierre-Dels-Forcats, Saint-Laurent-De-Cerdans.
For the main travel overview: Pyrénées-Orientales.
