Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda

Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda (Els Banys i Palaldà) is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France. Prior to 1942, it was known as Amélie-les-Bains.

It is situated in the Tech valley, and combines the old and the new with a mix of narrow cobbled streets and modern accommodation. It has become a 'station verte' meaning that it must strive at all times to ensure that tourists benefit from a calm and natural environment.

Location
Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda is located in the canton of Le Canigou and in the arrondissement of Céret. It sits at the confluence of the Mondony with the Tech, 28.5 mi SSW of Perpignan by road. The town is situated at a height of 770 ft and has both a winter and summer season.



Climate
In the winter season the average temperature is about 10 degrees Celsius, and in the summer it is roughly 29 degrees Celsius with the occasional thunderstorm late afternoon.

Springs
The town has numerous sulphur springs (20-60C.). They have been used as baths by those with rheumatism and illnesses of the lungs. By the end of the 19th century there were two bathing establishments, one of which preserved remains of Roman baths, and a large military thermal hospital.

Toponymy
The town, formerly called Les-Bains-d'Arles, became Fort-les-Bains in 1670 after the construction of the new castle. It was renamed Amélie-les-Bains in 1840 after Queen Amelia wife of Louis Philippe. She finally visited the town in 1848, and subsequently promoted it. In Catalan it is still called Els banys d'Arles.

Mayors
François Mefler, mayor of Amélie-les-Bains since October 1941, becomes the new mayor of Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda in October 1942, after Amélie-les-Bains and Palalda were united together.

Sites of interest

 * Fort-les-Bains, fortress built in 1670 above Amélie-les-Bains.

Notable people

 * Maximilien Chaudoir (1816–1881) : Russian entomologist, died in Amélie-les-Bains ;
 * Pierre Restany (1930–2003) : art critic and philosopher, born in Amélie-les-Bains.