Basque songs concert in Dax
Experience the powerful and traditional melodies of Basque culture in the heart of Dax.
Plizio Visual Lab
Dax
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Dax
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit the Fontaine Chaude early in the morning when the steam rising from the 64°C water creates a mystical atmosphere.
- Parking near the pedestrian zone can be tricky on market days; use the free parking lots slightly outside the center.
- Dax is synonymous with rugby; catch a local match if you visit during the season.
- Many spa facilities require advance booking, especially during the peak thermal season in autumn.
🍽 Food
🍽
Pastis landais
A local brioche-like cake flavored with rum or vanilla; find it in traditional bakeries around the center.
🍽
Magret de canard
Duck breast is a regional staple; best enjoyed at traditional brasseries near the market.
🍽
Salade landaise
A rich salad featuring duck confit and gizzards, served at bistros along the Adour river.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Halles de Dax
The covered market is the best place to buy regional products like foie gras and local cheeses.
🛍
Esplanade du Général de Gaulle
The surrounding streets offer appealing boutiques and local artisan shops.
🧘
Parc du Sarrat
A peaceful botanical garden good for a shaded walk away from the thermal buzz.
🧘
Bords de l'Adour
The promenade along the Adour river provides calming views and a gentle breeze for an evening stroll.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
10
Spanish Evening in Dax
A vibrant night filled with Spanish music, dance, and Mediterranean flair.
Grand Bal Musette in Dax
Enjoy a night of traditional French accordion music and festive social dancing.
Guided tour: Course landaise
Discover the traditional and athletic sport of Gascon bull-leaping in Dax.
Guided tour: Splendid & Thermes
Explore the iconic Art Deco hotel and the rich history of spa culture in Dax.
Music with Duo Acoustic Vibe's
Enjoy a relaxing evening of acoustic live music in the heart of Dax.
Guided tour: Atrium
Learn about the fascinating history and architecture of this iconic cultural venue.
Guided tour: Pilgrims in Dax
Follow the footsteps of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrims (Jacqueyres) through Dax.
Garçon la Note ! Festival
Enjoy 33 free concerts on restaurant terraces in Dax, from cool jazz to moving rock.
Guided tour: Corrida
An insight into the history and rituals of bullfighting in the famous arenas of Dax.
Dax, a town in the Landes department of southwestern France, has been famous for its hot springs and thermal baths since antiquity. Even the Romans appreciated the healing properties of the mud and water here, founding the settlement of Aquae Tarbellicae. The town's landmark is the Fontaine Chaude, a monumental fountain structure in the city center from which millions of liters of hot water flow daily. In addition to its significance as France's leading spa resort, Dax is deeply rooted in Gascon traditions, particularly bullfighting and the 'Ferias' festivals. The 17th-century Notre-Dame Cathedral houses significant Gothic sculptures from an earlier building. Situated on the Adour River at the edge of the vast Landes pine forest, the town's natural setting is a key feature. Dax combines modern medical thermal facilities with a lively cultural heritage expressed through folk festivals and local gastronomy. As the historic capital of the Tarbelli people, the town also preserves archaeological remnants of its ancient city walls.
- Location: Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
- Top sights: Fontaine Chaude · Arènes de Dax · Cathédrale Notre-Dame
- Nearby: Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse (21 km)
- Population: ~22.305
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 7 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 11 | 8 |
| Rain mm | 121 | 90 | 89 | 89 | 89 | 73 | 51 | 53 | 65 | 93 | 144 | 112 |
Geography
Facts
- The water from the Fontaine Chaude flows at a constant temperature of 64 °C
- Dax is the first recognized spa resort in France
- The Roman walls of Dax date back to the 4th century
- The Dax Arena was built in 1913 in a Neo-Moorish style
- Dax welcomes approximately 60,000 spa visitors annually
- The town has a current population of about 21,000 residents
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→16:351.5 km walk7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 22–30 €Entries 26€ · Transport 0€
Dax, the heart of Gascony, welcomes you with steaming thermal springs and Roman history. Your walk begins at the Fontaine Chaude, where the water has flowed since antiquity. At midday, explore the grand cathedral and the Art Deco district along the Adour river. The afternoon belongs to the Arena, a symbol of local traditions, before finishing the day with a glass of regional wine.
← swipe for more places →
📍
09:10 · 47'
Hot Fountain (Fontaine Chaude)
The 64-degree water steams beautifully in the early morning.
🚶 6'0.16 km
🚶 8'0.23 km
🚶 6'0.14 km
📍
11:51 · 47'
Gallo-Roman City Walls
Walk along some of the best-preserved Roman walls in France.
🚶 9'0.29 km
📍
12:47 · 47'
Atrium Casino & Splendid Hotel
An Art Deco masterpiece; take a look inside the hotel lobby.
🚶 10'0.34 km
🚶 10'0.37 km
09:00→17:149.1 km ride7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 31–43 €Entries 25€ · Transport 12€
Explore Dax and its surroundings flexibly by bike. From the warm springs in the center, cycle through the botanical Sarrat Park all the way to the helicopter museum on the outskirts. The flat paths along the Adour provide relaxed riding conditions and lead you to the city's key architectural treasures.
← swipe for more places →
🚲 4'0.16 km
🚲 8'0.77 km
🚲 11'1.29 km
🚲 5'0.37 km
🚲 22'3.24 km
🚲 22'3.23 km
09:00→16:297.3 km drive7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 23–31 €Entries 26€ · Transport 1€
By car, discover Dax in comfortable stages. Start in the historical center, then visit the fascinating helicopter museum (ALAT) located just outside the city, and return to the river for lunch. This tour combines urban highlights with technical curiosities on the outskirts.
← swipe for more places →
📍
09:10 · 47'
Center Cluster: Fontaine Chaude
Park at the 'Place de la Fontaine Chaude' parking garage.
🚗 4'0.16 km
🚗 4'0.26 km
🚗 14'3.21 km
🚗 13'3.08 km
🚗 4'0.21 km
🚗 4'0.34 km
Sights in the town Dax (9)
Frequently asked questions
What is Dax most famous for?
Dax is France's leading spa town, famous for its hot thermal springs and therapeutic mud sourced from the Adour River.
What is the Fontaine Chaude?
It is a fountain in the town center where 64°C water emerges; it is the symbol of Dax's Roman history.
Which local specialty should you try?
Try the Madeleines de Dax, a buttery pastry produced using the same secret recipe since 1906.
When does the Feria de Dax festival take place?
The five-day festival featuring bullfights and music takes place every year in mid-August; wearing white and red is tradition.
Are there Roman ruins in the city?
Yes, remains of the 4th-century Roman city walls can be seen in the Parc Théodore Denis.
Dax: where is it located?
Dax is located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
Dax: what is there to see?
Highlights include Fontaine Chaude, Arènes de Dax, Cathédrale Notre-Dame.
Dax: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Dax: why is it worth visiting?
Dax, a town in the Landes department of southwestern France, has been famous for its hot springs and thermal baths since antiquity.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in France →
Nearby cities
Bordeaux
Bordeaux, located on the banks of the Garonne, is the world capital of wine.
Pau
Pau sits at the foot of the Pyrenees and offers wide mountain views and a calm southwestern French atmosphere.
Pessac
Pessac is a dynamic city in the Bordeaux metropolitan area, renowned for its prestigious wine estates and modern architectural heritage.
Angoulême
Angoulême overlooks the Charente and is known as France's comic-book capital and for its city walls.
Bayonne
Bayonne sits between the Adour and Nive rivers and is known for Basque culture, chocolate, and a lively old town.
Saint-Pierre-d'Irube
A Basque commune on the outskirts of Bayonne, known for its green hills and the historic Battle of Saint-Pierre (1813).
Talence
A key university and sports hub in the Bordeaux metropolitan area, world-renowned for the Decastar athletics meeting.
Bordeaux-Sud
The southern area of Bordeaux includes both residential areas and modern scientific institutions.
Anglet
The surfing capital of the Basque Country, featuring eleven different sandy beaches and the extensive Chiberta forest.
Mont-de-Marsan
Mont-de-Marsan is the 'city of three rivers' and the capital of the Landes department, famous for its sculptures and Gascon culture.
Périgueux
Périgueux is the capital of Périgord and combines Roman traces with a pretty old town and markets.
Agen
Agen sits on the Garonne and is known across France as the capital of prunes and the southwestern way of life.
Biarritz
Biarritz is a stylish Atlantic resort town known for surfing, beaches, and its blend of Basque culture and elegance.
Villenave-d'Ornon
A lush southern suburb of Bordeaux, famous for its world-class wineries in the Pessac-Léognan appellation.
Saint-Médard-en-Jalles
Saint-Médard-en-Jalles is a major city near Bordeaux, renowned as a hub for the European aerospace and defense industry.