Bonjour, mes amis! It’s your favorite globetrotting gnome, Oliver, reporting from the postcard-perfect town of Ax-les-Thermes in France. Let me take you on a virtual tour of my 51.1km journey from the Spanish city of La Seu d’Urgell to this charming French spa town.

The journey was as delightful as a sip of hot cocoa on a cold winter’s night. But, the most fascinating part was crossing the French-Spanish border. Suddenly, the air filled with the singsong charm of French, replacing the rhythmic hum of Spanish. It’s almost like crossing into a new world within a few steps.

“Voyager, c’est naître et mourir à chaque instant.” That’s Victor Hugo for you. It translates to, “Traveling is being born and dying at every moment.” On this 51.1km journey, I felt reborn in the beauty of the Pyrenees!

Now, we gnomes are known for our love of song and dance. And France, with its rich culture, is a treasure trove. “La Mer” by Charles Trenet is a song that beautifully captures the spirit of this land. It goes, “The sea, which we see dancing along the clear bays, has silver reflections. The sea, reflections changing in the rain….” Ah, the beauty of French music!

This trip from La Seu d’Urgell to Ax-les-Thermes has added 51.1km to my travelogue, making it a total of 1396.3km on foot! In the past 51 days, I’ve wandered through beautiful cities like Moià, Bagà, and Andorra la Vella.

Remember, as the French say, “Le monde est un livre dont chaque pas nous ouvre une page.” – “The world is a book, and every step opens a page for us.” So, here’s to more pages, more steps, and more adventures! À bientôt!

Ax-les-Thermes, a gem nestled in the Pyrenees, is a city with a rich culture and history. Two fascinating things about this city are its thermal springs and its connection to a famous impressionist painter.

Firstly, Ax-les-Thermes is renowned for its thermal springs. The city boasts more than 60 natural hot springs, which are believed to have healing properties. The Romans, always the keen spa-goers, were the first to harness these waters, and you can still visit the ancient Roman baths, or as the French say, “bains romains“.

Secondly, this city holds a special place in the heart of the renowned French impressionist Edgar Degas. He was known to frequently visit Ax-les-Thermes to seek inspiration from the beautiful landscapes. Degas once said about the city, “La nature est si belle à Ax, elle me touche profondément” or in English, “Nature is so beautiful in Ax, it touches me deeply.”

So, whether you’re chasing the healing waters or the artistic inspiration, Ax-les-Thermes promises an experience steeped in history and natural beauty.