The story goes that Saint-Louis constructed the baths in Ax to cure lepers. The water, which flows out of the mountainside, is at 77 degrees, and is well known to help people with respiratory ailments. Ax is therefore often overrun with people seeking a cure to their illness, but in the winter you will also find skiers happily taking a dip in the hot baths after a long day on the pistes. Furthermore, Ax is the set-off point for walkers who want to have a go at the majestic Dent d’Orlu. There are 70km of ski-runs nearby, not including the excellent pistes in Andorra. Trippers from Toulouse often make the most of a day’s skiing in Andorra to stock up on tax-free alcohol on the way back.