Molitg-les-Bains thermal spring fuels Biotherm cosmetics and attracts hikers

A 12‑km loop trail about an hour north of Barcelona links the free El Riuet thermal spring, a Mediterranean coastal path lined with historic villas, and the postcard‑like village of Roc de Sant Gaietà. The route starts at Sant Vicenç de Calders station, reachable by frequent R2 South trains from Barcelona, and offers easy, car‑free access for day‑trippers.

The same thermal waters have a longer legacy. In 1946 baker Adrien Barthélémy bought the local station in Molitg‑les‑Bains, commissioned hydro‑biologist Jos Jullien to study the spring, and discovered plankton alongside minerals and vitamins that benefit skin health. Their research led to the creation of the French thermal company that later launched the Biotherm cosmetics range. The spring, renowned since the 19th century for treating skin conditions, remains a therapeutic site in the small Catalan hamlet, whose population has hovered around a few hundred residents.