Dax

The origins of Dax

A sub-prefecture of the Landes with a history spanning two thousand years, Dax is one of Europe's oldest spa towns. Known since Roman times as Aquae Tarbellicae for its hot springs, it saw Romans, Visigoths and English pass through before becoming a major waypoint in south-west France. With 20,000 inhabitants, Dax today retains its spa vocation (France's leading thermal spa resort by number of visitors) while enjoying remarkable commercial and cultural vitality, as a stop on the Paris-Hendaye TGV line.

Dax's must-sees

The Fontaine de la Néhé, a hot spring gushing at 64°C in the heart of the town, is Dax's historic emblem. The banks of the Adour, the Pont des Arènes, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the pedestrian centre form a charming urban walk. The Arènes de Dax host the great Feria de Dax every summer (August), one of the most important bullfighting and festive events in the south-west. The Gallo-Roman crypto-portico, the medieval ramparts and the Musée de Borda complete the heritage offering. On the nature side, the pine forest and the banks of the Adour offer fine walking routes.

Living in Dax

Dax combines urban living, commercial dynamism and quick access to the ocean (25 minutes), to the Landes (30 minutes) and to the heart of the Landes pine forest. The town charms with its cultural offering (Feria, festivals, theatre), its spa baths, its shops and its quality of life. The property market offers varied properties, townhouses in the historic centre, bourgeois residences on the boulevards, detached villas on the outskirts, agricultural properties in the Dax countryside. The presence of the TGV station (Paris in 3h20) strengthens its appeal for mobile professionals and second-home buyers.