Sustainable urban development in Ax-les-Thermes
After 18 months of work, our teams have completed the redevelopment of the Paul Salette walkways, in the center of Ax-les-Thermes. Carried out in close collaboration with the City, this sustainable urban development project breathes new life into a central and emblematic space of the town.
It reflects a strong commitment to enhancing the living environment, strengthening the appeal of the town centre, and offering both residents and visitors a more high-quality, clearer, and calmer public space.
A central space redesigned for everyday use
The Paul Salette walkways occupy a strategic location in the town centre of Ax-les-Thermes. A true place for passage, meeting, and strolling, this space structures local life and contributes fully to the identity of the town. The redevelopment project aimed to rethink this public space to better meet current needs, while respecting the history and thermal character of the city.
The intervention of our teams restored coherence and continuity to pathways, improved travel comfort, and created a calmer urban environment designed for residents, spa-goers, and passing visitors alike.
A sustainable and high-quality development
The project is based on demanding technical and aesthetic choices, guided by a pursuit of durability and long-term quality. The use of noble and lasting materials, such as granite for paving and steps, reflects this desire to combine robustness, aesthetics, and harmonious integration into the urban landscape.
These choices not only enhance the town centre but also ensure the longevity of the developments and reduce the need for future interventions, in line with a responsible management approach to public spaces.
Thermal water and greening at the heart of the project
A major identifying feature of Ax-les-Thermes, thermal water plays a central role in the project’s design. Its staging, through circulation on different levels, structures the spaces and creates a calming atmosphere, directly linked to the town’s history and thermal heritage.
Greening complements this approach by bringing freshness, comfort, and landscape quality. It helps improve user well-being, boost the site’s appeal, and create spaces conducive to relaxation and conviviality, while also contributing to better adaptation of the town centre to climate-related challenges.
A project carried out with respect for local life
The execution of works in the town centre required rigorous organisation and constant attention to local life. The Colas teams ensured that circulation and access to shops, the thermal baths, the casino, and restaurants were maintained throughout the project.
This careful management of scheduling and coordination helped minimise disturbances and preserve the economic and tourist activity of the town centre, while ensuring user safety and the quality of the work carried out.
A project driven by a close partnership
We thank all the partners for their trust and congratulate the teams from the Varilhes branch in Ariège for their professionalism and commitment throughout this operation.
Discover our expertise in sustainable urban development
Colas designs, rehabilitates and transforms public spaces and city centres, both in France and internationally. Sustainable urban development, urban regeneration, urban greening, water management and improving quality of life: our teams deliver solutions tailored to uses, environmental challenges and the specific characteristics of each area.
