A former charterhouse, built in the 18th century, La Bastide was originally home to monks, who probably worked in the vineyards.
With the rise of the spa industry in the 20th century, the charterhouse was quickly converted into a hotel, welcoming the "Belle Société" who came to benefit from the waters.
It was also used as a hospital, welcoming the wounded during the great world conflict.
The Barthélémy family, founders of the first group of private thermal establishments in France, acquired La Bastide at the same time as the thermal baths, in 1957.
La Bastide was then called Le Grand Hôtel Thermal. Christine Barthélémy (later Christine Guérard), carried out a complete restoration campaign in 1965.
Modern comforts were introduced within these walls, and the decoration was entirely redesigned, in a scenario worthy of the Musketeers and other cadets of Gascony.
At that time, the most beautiful flats of the House were named Roxane, d'Artagnan and Cyrano, after the emblematic works of Edmond Rostand.
On this occasion, the Grand Hôtel Thermal is renamed La Bastide Gasconne.
The major works carried out on the thermal baths marked the end of this era, and La Bastide gradually lost its chic and festive clientele. In 2000, water damage forced the owners to close the house, which did not reopen until 2011, after extensive restoration and embellishment work.
In the meantime, La Bastide has been reduced from 48 to 25 rooms, and its decoration has been entirely re-imagined by Christine Guérard, allowing the natural, southern elegance of the building's architecture to shine through.
La Bastide was once again awarded the Relais & Châteaux label in 2011.
