Rennes-le-Château and Rennes-les-Bains

Well-known for it's friendly reception, comfortable rooms with balconies overlooking the river and good food at a reasonable price, the Hostellerie of Rennes-les-Bains is the "scene to be seen in" at Rennes-les-Bains.

  Here's the view, looking south, from the "Roman" bridge, showing, from right to left, part of the public garden named after Paul Courrent, the passerelle directly from the "Place de Deux Rennes," the Hostellerie, and the small bath at its foot, still running the natural warm source that served when the building was the main place to "take the waters." 

  Here's the view looking north, of the river Sals, the "Roman" bridge, properly called Le Vieux Pont, and the terrace of the Hostellerie, reached by the passerelle.

   
    This hotel has a great history, for it was the thermal spring first discovered and used by the Romans about 40BC and known for many years as "Bains Fort."  Today's hotel rooms, in the 19th century, were used to give "treatments" when the baths were owned by the Fleury family.  (The Hostellerie now offers treatments at La Bain de la Reine.)

  It's very agreeable indeed to eat on the terrace (or just enjoy some local wine) which one can also do in the reception area on cooler days.  From this one goes straight on into the dining-room, or up the stairs to your room.  Many groups stay at the Hostellerie from time to time, including Grail Tours and the Saunière Society from Rennes-le-Château, where there is no hotel.

 28th August 2014

Lovely day at Rennes-les-Bains with my friends Gabi and Kris (of French Claudia Fame) lunching at the Hostellerie in Rennes-les-Bains.

     
  We were ladies who lunched  Then Jean-Luc showed us where is the Cross of Delmas, hidden on a side-street.

   
  (Note to author - hold camera straight after lunching like a lady!)  Delmas was a priest of Rennes-les-Bains in the late 17th/early 18th century whose cross used to be at the entry to the town.  They removed it to cut into the hillside (revealing all sorts of yet undisclosed important remains) to make more parking spaces.  (The full story is in my book, The Sacred River of Rennes-les-Bains.)  Here's a photo of the cross in 1985.

     The Hostellerie is well aware of interest in the Cathars, the Templars and Mary Magdalene;  in the dining room are some delightful wall hangings.  (If you've ever read Margaret Starbird, you will know about the symbolism of the lady and the unicorn.)

 
  You can eat with a view of the river;  my friend Jaap often eats there.  They also have a pizzaria down by the river; the photo below was taken while crossing the "Roman" bridge.

 
   The Hostellerie also holds exhibitions for local and not-so local artists, in many styles.

     Always something interesting to see!   Tel 04 68 69 88 49.  Site www.hotel-renneslesbains.com