Vernet les Bains

This is part of a larger poem About the Town of Vernet les Bains that describes how beautiful it is. Here is the full poem
Vernet les Bains – Paradise of the Pyrennees
Perched in its eyrie on Canigou’s flank
Snuggling up close to Cady’s right bank
Gateway to routes that lead to the peak
Vernet les Bains shows a pleasing mystique

Up on the mountain the water is clean
The air unpolluted and the setting serene
With wide open spaces, lined with high trees
Vernet, paradise of the high Pyrennees

Hot sulphured waters well up from the ground
The Therm’s healing sources all the year round
No wonder that health is the township’s main lure
Its special appeal is the art of the cure

Rheumatic ailments and poor respiration
All are well treated for improved purgation
Walking and cycling in the pure Vernet air
Assures well-being for the whole of the year.

Back in the last century’s earlier days
The British invasion of Vernet held sway
Perfidious Albion at rest and at play
Taking the waters to eke out the day

Clerics and generals, the great and the good,
Victoria’s daughter, and those of blue blood
Dukes and duchesses, and fat diplomats
The town overwhelmed by aristocrats.

This gathering of high-born came round the clock
To sample the wonders of la Belle Epoque
They came from all of Europe’s rich nations
For gambling, the cure and just for vacations

Kipling the author came here with his wife
The waters would give her a much better life
A day at the therms calmed her articulations
While Kipling himself wrote his fine publications

To see Vernet best take the Kipling trail
That recounts his story in every detail
Start near the casino, a stylish delight
And follow it to every noteworthy site

The church of St George is worthy of heed
Built by subscription for the Anglican creed
Restored to its former glory last year
A cultural centre and a fit place for prayer

High on the top towering over the town
Is St Saturnin church, the jewel in its crown
A romanesque pearl, rare relics and treasure
Proudly displayed for the visitor’s pleasure

Across from the church a grand monument
Commemorates a momentous event
The Entente Cordiale whose colonial goal
To share states into French or British control

It’s the only known monument that portrays
This fine testament to imperial days
It owes its place in the town’s history
To the good old British aristocracy

There’s much more to see and do round Vernet
There’s a wild-life park in nearby Casteil
An eleventh century gem is next on the bill
Saint Martin du Canigou up on the hill

But, if you can, the thing that you must do
Is to reach the peak of the Canigou
A jeep will take you to where you can start
If you succeed you’re a catalan at heart.

A place for reflection, a place to revere
A garden of Eden at all times of year
A place where good health permeates the air
Vernet les Bains waits to welcome

Norman Longworth

Purged in its area on Cany goes flank. Snuggling up close to Katie’s right bank. Gateway to roots that led to the peak. Very lay band has a pleasing mystique. Hot sulfur waters well up from the ground. The therm’s healing sources all the year round. No wonder that health is the township’s main l. Its special appeal is the art of the queue. Back in the last centuries earlier days, the British invasion of Vern held sway. An army of Albian’s richest and best, taking the waters and gambling with zest. Clerics and generals, the great and the good. Victoria’s daughter and those of blue blood dukes and duchesses and fat diplomats. The town overwhelmed by aristocrats. This gathering of highborn came round the clock to sample the wonders of La Bell. Kipling the author came here with his wife. The waters would give her a much better life. The church of St. George’s worthy built by subscription for the Anglican creed restored to its former glory last year. A cultural center and a fit place for prayer. Across from the church, a grand monument commemorates a momentous event that untaled Africa into French or British control. It’s the only monument to portray this testament to imperial sway. It owes its place in the town’s history to the good old British aristocracy. But if you can, the best thing you should do is to reach the peak of the proud Canigu. Place this ascent in your holiday plan and follow the steps of a true Catalan. A place for reflection, a place to revere, a garden of Eden at all times of year. A place where good health permeates the air. Bernates to welcome you there.