Thermal Baths Rehabilitation
Water Rehabilitation // SALIES DE BEARN
The project
Client: France Thermes (SA TSB)
Area: 1,914 sqm GFA
Programme: Refurbishment of a historic thermal establishment, creation of an outdoor relaxation area
Budget: €5.40M excl. tax
Design team: Coste Architectures, OTEIS, 3MA-IC, STI
Highlights: historic building, working in collaboration with the DRAC and the Architectes des Bâtiments de France to reconcile technical, structural and functional challenges with the heritage value of the building
Project overview
Rehabilitation of the historic thermal baths of Salies-de-Béarn
A heritage and therapeutic project led by COSTE Architectures for France Thermes
Located at the heart of the spa town of Salies-de-Béarn, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, the Salies-de-Béarn Thermal Baths bear witness to a thermal history spanning more than 150 years. From 1857 onwards, this emblematic establishment became a treatment destination built around naturally salted water, recognised for its therapeutic virtues in rheumatology, gynaecology and developmental disorders.
In 2024, COSTE Architectures supported France Thermes (SA TSB) in the complete rehabilitation of this historic thermal establishment, addressing the combined challenges of heritage conservation, functional efficiency and contemporary user experience.
A landmark project, anchored in its heritage
The intervention covered a 1,914 sqm area and was structured around several ambitious objectives:
The complete refurbishment of the historic thermal establishment, now partially listed as a historic monument, while preserving and showcasing its remarkable 19th-century architectural features.
The creation of an outdoor relaxation area, designed to enhance the site's appeal and accessibility.
Close coordination with the DRAC and the Architectes des Bâtiments de France, in order to reconcile technical, structural and regulatory requirements with the conservation of the building's heritage value.
A focus on thermal performance and user experience, from treatment areas to relaxation spaces and circulation, supporting a modern practice of thermal care and well-being.
Multidisciplinary expertise serving heritage and care
The project was carried out in close collaboration with a design team comprising:
COSTE Architectures – lead architect
OTEIS – MEP and building services engineering
3MA-IC – structural engineering
STI – coordination and safety
With a budget of €5.40M excl. tax, this rehabilitation combines technical excellence, heritage sensitivity and demanding programme requirements. It addresses the specific challenges of historic buildings while projecting the establishment into a contemporary dynamic of thermal care and well-being.
A strong commitment to enhancing the thermal baths
In a context where thermal water continues to hold a central place in natural therapeutic approaches, the rehabilitation of the Salies-de-Béarn Thermal Baths illustrates COSTE Architectures' ability to reimagine historic places of care so they remain firmly anchored in current and future uses. This project showcases our expertise in heritage rehabilitation, in integrating regulatory constraints, and in design centred on user experience.
