Dax, Landes
Encyclopedia
Dax is a commune
in Aquitaine
in south-western France
, sub-prefecture of the Landes department.
It is particularly famous as a spa
, specialising in mud treatment for rheumatism and similar ailments.
It is also a market town, former bishopric and busy local centre, especially for the Chalosse area.
. Its Roman name was Civitas Aquensium. In the Middle Ages, it was administered by viscounts until 1177. With the acquisition of Aquitaine
by Henry II Plantagenet, later King of England, Dax remained under the English rule until 1451, when it was conquered by the French troops before the end of the Hundred Years' War
. It successfully withstood a Spanish siege in 1521-1522.
Later Dax kept its tradition as a renowned spa site.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in Aquitaine
Aquitaine
Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes...
in south-western France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, sub-prefecture of the Landes department.
It is particularly famous as a spa
Destination spa
A destination spa is a short term residential/lodging facility with the primary purpose of providing individual services for spa-goers to develop healthy habits. Historically many such spas were developed at the location of natural hot springs or sources of mineral waters...
, specialising in mud treatment for rheumatism and similar ailments.
It is also a market town, former bishopric and busy local centre, especially for the Chalosse area.
History
It was first established by the Romans, and its reputation is supposed to date from a visit by Julia, the daughter of the first Emperor Octavian AugustusAugustus
Augustus ;23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14) is considered the first emperor of the Roman Empire, which he ruled alone from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD.The dates of his rule are contemporary dates; Augustus lived under two calendars, the Roman Republican until 45 BC, and the Julian...
. Its Roman name was Civitas Aquensium. In the Middle Ages, it was administered by viscounts until 1177. With the acquisition of Aquitaine
Aquitaine
Aquitaine , archaic Guyenne/Guienne , is one of the 27 regions of France, in the south-western part of metropolitan France, along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain. It comprises the 5 departments of Dordogne, :Lot et Garonne, :Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes...
by Henry II Plantagenet, later King of England, Dax remained under the English rule until 1451, when it was conquered by the French troops before the end of the Hundred Years' War
Hundred Years' War
The Hundred Years' War was a series of separate wars waged from 1337 to 1453 by the House of Valois and the House of Plantagenet, also known as the House of Anjou, for the French throne, which had become vacant upon the extinction of the senior Capetian line of French kings...
. It successfully withstood a Spanish siege in 1521-1522.
Later Dax kept its tradition as a renowned spa site.
Main sights
- Roman archaeological crypt, including the foundings of a Roman temple from the second century AD.
- Remains of the Gaul-Roman walls (4th century)
- Cathedral of Notre-Dame Ste-Marie
- Church of Saint-Vincent-de-Xaintes.
- Fontaine Chaude ("Hot Fountain").
Notable people
- Maurice BoyauMaurice BoyauMaurice Jean-Paul Boyau was a French rugby union player and a leading French ace of the First World War with 35 victories, and one of the most successful balloon busters...
, ace of the First World War who spent most of his life in Dax. - Jean-Charles de BordaJean-Charles de BordaJean-Charles, chevalier de Borda was a French mathematician, physicist, political scientist, and sailor.-Life history:...
, mathematician born in Dax. - Vincent de PaulVincent de PaulVincent de Paul was a priest of the Catholic Church who became dedicated to serving the poor. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. He was canonized in 1737....
, theologianTheologyTheology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
born in a village nearby Dax. - Roger DucosRoger DucosPierre Roger Ducos , better known as Roger Ducos, was a French political figure during the Revolution and First Empire, a member of the National Convention, and of the Directory....
, politician born in Dax - Brigitte Lovisa FouchéBrigitte Lovisa FouchéBrigitte Lovisa Fouché is a French painter born in Dax in 1958. After graduating from the École nationale supérieure des arts appliqués et des métiers d'art , Olivier de Serres in Paris, she worked for 15 years as a glazier painter for Sylvie Gaudin's studio.Specializing herself in mural art, she...
, French painter - Raphaël IbañezRaphaël IbanezRaphaël Ibañez is a retired French rugby union footballer. A hooker, he was also a former captain of the France national team.-Club career:...
, rugby player born in Dax. - Christophe LamaisonChristophe LamaisonChristophe Lamaison is a former French rugby union footballer who represented France at international level, and Brive, Agen and Aviron Bayonnais at professional club level. He won 37 caps and is the current all-time leading points scorer for France, with 380 points...
, rugby player born in Dax.
