Summary
An ancient spa town that remains vibrant, Dax is located in the historic Gascony Province of southwestern France.
Dax has been celebrated for its hot springs since Roman times, and there exists a fountain in the center that dispenses thousands of liters of hot water daily.
The town’s historical legacy is evident in various forms, from the ancient walls located in public parks to an underground museum featuring a monument found in only a few locations within the Roman world.
Visiting in mid-August or September allows you to experience the vibrant color, joy, and traditions of an authentic Gascon festival, complete with outdoor celebrations and bullfights.
Let us explore the top attractions in Dax:
1. Musée ALAT
If military aviation interests you, this museum is a must-visit. It features one of the most impressive collections of helicopters and planes in Europe.
This exhibition is housed in a 3,000-square-meter hall filled with equipment used by the Aviation Légère de l’Armée de Terre, the aviation branch of the French army.
There are 32 aircraft on display, including notable models such as the Sikorsky H-19 Chicksaw chopper, the Alouette II, and the historically significant Morane 505 observation plane.
A wide array of military memorabilia from the Second World War and the French conflict in Indochina complements the aircraft exhibits.
2. Arènes de Dax
Dax’s bullring is one of only seven premier venues for bullfighting in France.
These events are held during the Fêtes de Dax in August and the Toros y Salsa festival in September.
The arena, constructed in 1913 in Moorish Revival style, accommodates 8,000 spectators.
If you are unable to attend a bullfight, or if it is not your preference, you may still explore this historical monument.
Check with the tourist office for information on upcoming guided tours, which include visits to the chapel where fighters seek protection at a shrine dedicated to the Virgin.
3. Crypte Archéologique
When these enigmatic ruins were uncovered during construction work in the 1970s, many speculated they were remnants of a Roman temple.
However, subsequent analyses have revealed a far more intriguing discovery: Now preserved and illuminated, a 2nd-century civil basilica stands. This facility once hosted various civic activities, including trials.
Such establishments are rare throughout the former Roman Empire.
During peak season, two guided tours are available daily, displaying all artifacts recovered from the site, including coins, ceramics, and a statue of Mercury.
4. Borda Museum
Situated at the Carmelite Chapel, this museum houses an array of antique scientific instruments, busts, paintings, sculptures, and archaeological artifacts.
Founded over 200 years ago based on the cabinet of curiosities of the 18th-century polymath and local figure, Jean-Charles de Borda, the collection reflects his diverse interests.
Given Borda’s involvement in navigation instruments and French voting reform, this extensive collection encompasses various fields, including natural history, paleontology, archaeology, fine arts, and graphic arts, necessitating rotational displays.
5. Fontaine Chaude
On a crisp day, one can observe the water vapor rising from Dax’s hot fountain located in the heart of the town.
This fountain is enclosed by a portico completed in 1818 during the reign of Louis XVIII, and the entire site, including its Roman remnants, is preserved as a French “monument historique.” The thermal spring water emerges at a temperature of 64°C, historically used by locals for cooking.
A tale from the Roman era tells of a legionnaire’s ill dog, which was said to be cured of rheumatism after drinking water from the spring.
A statue of the soldier and his rejuvenated dog can be found on Rue Saint-Vincent.
The spring is still reputed to possess various health benefits, purportedly aiding pulmonary and joint ailments.
6. Dax Cathedral
Following a collapse in 1646, part of Dax’s cathedral was reconstructed, resulting in a diverse blend of architectural styles.
The newer 18th-century additions, including the western entrance and towers, showcase a bold Neoclassical design, while remnants of the original 13th-century structure can still be admired.
Approaching the cathedral from the north, one will pass beneath the Portail des Apôtres, adorned with a tympanum replete with exquisite Gothic sculptures.
Inside the choir, the intricately carved wooden stalls from the 1500s were salvaged from the earlier edifice.
7. Parc du Sarrat
This public garden, located a few streets from Dax’s center, clearly reflects considerable care and attention.
The park harmoniously combines a French formal layout with a more natural English landscape.
Botanists will find over 1,270 trees from 27 distinct families, with some species being rare in France, such as the Cappadocian maple and the Chinese mahogany.
Additionally, there is a genuine kitchen garden where visitors can learn about organic gardening practices like crop rotation and composting on select days.
Embedded within the lush greenery is a modernist house designed by architect René Guichemerre, paying tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright.
8. Gallo-Roman Walls
The history of Dax’s Gallo-Roman walls is somewhat melancholy: In the 19th century, these fortifications were lauded by archaeologists as among the most beautiful and intact in France.
However, much of this defensive structure was dismantled by the local municipality during the same century for urban redevelopment.
Constructed in the 4th century, as Rome was transitioning to Christianity, the walls were four meters thick and enclosed Dax for over 1.4 kilometers, featuring 46 watchtowers.
Fortuitously, remnants of these fortifications can be observed at several locations around Dax.
The most well-preserved sections are found at Place des Salines and Parc Théodore-Denis, where some of the circular towers remain visible.
9. Fêtes de Dax
The town’s festival comes alive in mid-August each year.
It serves as a vibrant celebration of Gascon identity, drawing over 800,000 attendees to Dax.
Comparably, it resembles San Fermín in Pamplona, where participants don white clothing accented with red belts and scarves.
On weekends, the outdoor festivities become quite lively, with bullfighting serving as the highlight event.
If you prefer to forgo the bullfights, you can still enjoy various activities such as parades, traditional dances, and Basque pelota exhibitions.
The second day of the festival is family-friendly, featuring numerous activities for children, and culminates with a grand fireworks display.
10. Toros y Salsa
Dax’s festive season concludes spectacularly in mid-September with Toros y Salsa.
At Arènes de Dax, three days are dedicated to live music and bullfighting.
The crowd is smaller than during the Fêtes de Dax, resulting in a more convivial atmosphere.
This ambiance is enhanced by Spanish-style casetas, which are tents offering food, drinks, traditional music, and dancing.
Once again, visitors can choose to skip the bullfights by day and instead enjoy eight complimentary salsa concerts each evening.
11. Adour Riverside
Numerous spa complexes and hotels are located along the left bank of the Adour River, creating a picturesque setting.
A terrace adjacent to the water features rows of palm trees and splendid buildings, including the art deco Hôtel Splendid.
Built in the 1920s, Hôtel Splendid, along with the neighboring Atrium casino, was a popular destination for industrialists and nobility worldwide during Dax’s spa heyday.
The Trou des Pauvres fountain illustrates a different narrative: it served as a source of spring water and mud for those without means to access the health benefits.
12. Spa Treatments
Dax is recognized as France’s leading spa destination.
This town boasts twelve spas, while the nearby suburb of Saint-Paul has three additional facilities.
These establishments continue to prosper, welcoming 60,000 visitors annually, attesting to the perceived health benefits of its mineral-rich waters and mud.
The foundation of these treatments lies in thermal mud, comprised of sediment from the Adour River combined with algae surrounding the spring.
This unique composition is the basis for the “Péloïde” therapy, believed to be particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from rheumatism.
13. Église Saint-Vincent-de-Xaintes
This church, completed in 1893, replaced a basilica that had existed since the 1000s—built upon ancient monuments.
While the current structure is aesthetically pleasing, the historical significance of the site warrants a visit.
The cathedral honors Saint-Vincent-de-Xaintes, a bishop from the era when the Roman Empire remained pagan.
He is believed to have been martyred at this very location; within the church’s nave rests a 2nd-century Roman mosaic from the temple that previously occupied the site.
14. US Dax
The local rugby team is also integral to Dax’s identity; one can witness US Dax competing in friendly matches during the Fêtes de Dax.
In 2017, the team plays in the Pro D2, the French second tier, boasting a proud heritage that dates back to 1904 and producing 39 players for the national team.
Known as the “Culs Rouges,” meaning “Red Butts,” the players exhibit unwavering loyalty to their club colors.
Home matches are hosted at the 16,000-capacity Stade Maurice-Boyau from August to May, with seating often available for those interested in learning more about this Dax institution or rugby.
15. Local Flavours
The historic Gascony Province is renowned for its foie gras, and Dax exemplifies this tradition.
At local restaurants, this delicacy may be served pan-seared, raw, or partially cooked.
Additionally, visitors can purchase jars or cans of foie gras at the covered halles or the outdoor markets held on Saturdays and Sundays in the town center.
Poultry is a staple of the local cuisine, with Confit de Canard—duck cured in salt and preserved in goose fat—as a recommended dish.
A robust red wine from the Coteaux-de-Chalosse pairs perfectly with these culinary delights.
