Barèges

Barèges, a small watering-place in France, in the department of Hautes-Pyrénées, about 12 miles SE. of Pierrefitte railway station. Situated at a height of over 4000 feet above the sea, great part of it is buried in snow throughout the winter, consequently few live here save in summer and autumn. The place consists of but one long dull street and about eighty houses, yet as many as 1200 bathers come here every year during the four months' season. The mineral water for which it is celebrated contains principally sulphure of sodium, with portions of carbonate, muriate, and sulphate of soda, nitrogen, and sulphuretted hydrogen. Its efficacy in the cure of wounds, rheumatism, stiffness of joints, and scrofulous complaints is said to be very remarkable. The French government has erected here two hospitals for soldiers.