The History of the Saubusse Thermal Baths
Since 56 AD 

Regarding SAUBUSSE, we find on September 10th of the year 56 this text: "The cavalry of CRASSUS pursued 50,000 Aquitanians and Cantabrians across the open countryside. Barely a quarter escaped their blows. The majority of Aquitaine submitted to CRASSUS.

Among these people were the Sibusates" ... Now, the inhabitants of Saubusse are called Sibusates...

It was in 1289 that the THERMAL CITY was definitively named SAUBUSSE.
Previously, it was referred to as SIBUS - SUABUS - SAUBUC (elderberry in Gascogian) SAUBUCE-SABUCE (late 12th century) SUBOLLA (in 1178) SOBUSSA (in 1242) SAUBUSSA (in 1261).

In 1604, HENRY IV inaugurated the French legislation on mineral waters.
With the Revolution and the wars, many wounded arrived to be treated.

Around 1706, the investigator of the DUKE OF BOUILLON described: The barony with the parishes of SAAS and ANGOUME is half made of sands, and the inhabitants have surprisingly usurped the vacant properties, which belong to the lord.
"In the middle of a heath, the baths of Jouanin, one could build a wooden house like those in the country, which would generate income. The common woods are considerable."
It is in this report that the first mention of the "baths of Jouanin" appears, which only had a local reputation, in contrast to the waters of DAX and TERCIS, known since the time of the ROMAN EMPIRE. The existence of the thermal waters of SAUBUSSE is thereby revealed.

In 1778, Dr. E. MASSIE, a physician from HABAS, was tasked by RAULIN, the King's Physician to Louis XVI, to investigate:
"The Waters of JOUANIN, named after a nearby mill, are very frequented, although in a kind of wilderness, which should prove in favor of the case made for them in all the surrounding areas. Only a small ray of the King’s goodness would be needed to make this one of the most important sources for the public good. Unfortunately, there is no shelter except a sad wooden hut that does not always protect from the rain. It was the local priest, out of pity and a sense of decency, who had it built so that, above all, the two sexes would not be mixed."

In 1809, few changes occurred. According to J.THORE, a physician, and P. MEYRAC, a pharmacist:
"The Baths of JOUANIN are located about a league from the village of SAUBUSSE and approximately a quarter of a league from any habitation, except for the mill which only contains the miller’s residence.
Next to the pit, which is referred to as the Baths, is a thatched hut for the convenience of the patients. This pit is a swamp, barely a meter deep; the rest is very thick mud, the result of peat diluted with the thermal water. It is in this pit that the invalids seek relief from their ailments, where both men and women, young and old, immerse themselves. They sink into this swamp up to their shoulders or so, the mud keeping them elevated proportionally to their volume; one cries "miracle!" There, one finds, if not a complete cure, at least a noticeable relief. It is impossible to assume these waters were so frequently visited if they did not produce beneficial effects. The temperature is 27°C."

In April 1866, a new source of 38°C was discovered.
The municipality of SAUBUSSE then sought to develop the Thermal Source and leased its operation. Two houses were built: the "heating house," inhabited by a farmer with four rooms intended to serve as shelter and changing rooms for external visitors (who had to pay an indemnity for each bath to the farmer), and a residence for the sharecropper who would cultivate the lands dependent on the baths.

In 1901, Mr. LACAU-BARAQUE, a pharmacist from HABAS, took over the lease but later gave it up. In August 1922, at the Dax Civil Court auction, the Baths of Saubusse were sold to Mr. Bernard LABORDE, who would expand the business.
The first works involved adding an upper floor with 12 rooms, constructing a right wing, a dining room, a laundry room, and bath cabins with a surrounding gallery.

In the 1930s, the gallery was removed, and the thermal baths were connected to the hotel. Across from the hotel, a building with stables on the ground floor was transformed into a garage, and four rooms were built above to house chauffeurs and chambermaids for the clients undergoing treatment.
In 1932, a second floor was added, increasing the hotel’s capacity to 25 rooms. Each year, work continued on the baths, and the hotel was expanded to 70 rooms.

In January 1990, the central part of the hotel was destroyed by a fire during renovation work.
It was rebuilt with 12 more modern rooms, along with more spacious communal areas and a second restaurant, which included an adjacent covered terrace.

Every year, the establishment is renovated to remain up to standards.
In 2003, an outdoor heated pool was added, following the installation of fitness rooms and apartments for spa guests.

The family-run business celebrated its centenary in 2022. It has remained in the same family since the expansion of the business in 1922 and its purchase from the commercial court.
Bernard Laborde, Robert Laborde, Arnaud Laborde, and now Arthur Laborde have been in charge of the Saubusse Thermal establishment.

The establishment has seen significant development since the post-COVID period, with numerous structural improvements, a complete overhaul of the thermal baths, new facades, a restaurant open to all, and modernization of the Logis de France *** hotel and residences.
The thermal center now treats nearly 3,000 patients annually.
New projects around thermal water include the creation of thermal water misters with Dodie, a French leader in childcare since 1958.
A team of 60 employees in various departments helps run the structure during the season.