Ginoles

Ginoles (French pronunciation: [ʒinɔl] (listen); Occitan: Ginòlas) is a commune in the Aude department in southern France. It lies immediately to the west of Quillan. Both of these communes are known for their luxurious holiday homes.

Ginoles
Commune
Location of Ginoles
Ginoles Show map of France Ginoles Show map of Occitanie
Coordinates: 42°52′09″N 2°09′34″E
Country	France
Region	Occitanie
Department	Aude
Arrondissement	Limoux
Canton	La Haute-Vallée de l'Aude
Government
• Mayor (2020–2026)	Daniel Calvi
Area 1	6.17 km2 (2.38 sq mi)
Population  (2017-01-01)[1]	303
• Density	49/km2 (130/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	11165 /11500
Elevation	307–1,000 m (1,007–3,281 ft) (avg. 350 m or 1,150 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

The origins of Ginoles are definitely very old and certainly predate the Gallo-Roman era. There are references in ancient texts to Castrum Ginolis, and its thermal springs. The presence of these natural hot springs almost certainly attracted people to this region, which in turn brought agriculture. Due to the sunny climate, since Roman times the cultivation of Olives was an important activity, and many retaining walls called 'terraces' were built on the mountainsides and are still visible especially when one is in the village.

Ginoles is also known for its orchards. In the nearby locality named “Prat Fa” it is said that once there was a “Fanum” there which is a small rural temple of antiquity.

Ginoles had a successful period, with the opening of the Spa which had two hot springs named Prosper and Rosita, located down the hill at Ginoles Les Bains; these have since closed.