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Bains Jaunes

A stone bathing pool of yellow sulphur water on the flank of La Soufriere, built in 1887.

Updated 2 September 2026

WhereBasse-Terre
Nearest citySaint-Claude
Best seasonDecember to April
Time to allowTwo hours
Getting thereOn the road up La Soufriere above Saint-Claude; car park at the site
EntryFree

The Bains Jaunes is a rectangular stone basin built in 1887 on the flank of La Soufrière, fed by a spring that comes out at around thirty degrees carrying enough sulphur and iron to stain the water and the stone yellow. It sits at around a thousand metres in the forest, and it is the last stop on the road before the walking route to the volcano's summit begins. Bathing is free and the water is warm rather than hot.

What to look for

  • The 1887 basin - a stone bathing pool built into the mountainside.
  • The yellow water - sulphur and iron staining the spring and the stone.
  • The forest setting - cloud forest at around a thousand metres.
  • The Soufriere trailhead - the start of the summit walk just above.

When to go

December to April is the driest, though it rains here constantly. Mornings are clearest before the cloud. Weekends bring local bathers.

Good to know

It rains at this altitude almost daily and the site is often in cloud. The water is warm rather than hot and the basin is not maintained to spa standards. Facilities amount to a car park.

Nearby

La Soufriere is above, and Saint-Claude is below.

What to pack for Bains Jaunes

Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.

  • Swimwear - Needed at most public thermal pools; some traditional baths are nude and single-sex. Find on Amazon
  • Quick-dry towel + flip-flops - For wet changing areas and hot poolside stone. Find on Amazon
  • A dry bag or waterproof pouch - Somewhere safe for phone and valuables while you soak. Find on Amazon
  • Water to drink - Hot soaking is dehydrating; sip between dips. Find on Amazon

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Plan your trip

Where to start if Bains Jaunes is going on the list.

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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