The Grande Saline was in use for more than 1,200 years, from the 8th century to 1962. Listed to the World Heritage by UNESCO, this site, unique, is also one the most ancient factory in France. Very well-preserved, it explains to visitors the salt production activity thanks to the technical elements remaining. On the underground gallery, built on the 13th century to protect the salt, called white gold, visitors discover an hydraulic pump dated from the 19th century, still functionning. This impressive gallery looks more like a cathedral than a factory... Then, on the evaporation room, discover the hard work conditions of the saltworkers who gathered the salt in a stuffy atmosphere : the tools, the carts containing salt and the pan of evaporation, last one in France, remind this hard work.
Grande Saline
Salins-les-Bains
France
History and tradition
UNESCO World Heritage
46.937077, 5.87681
Address
Grande Saline
3 Place des Salines
39110
Salins-les-Bains
France
Opening hours
Monday - Sunday:
9:30-18:00
Monday - Sunday:
10:00-12:00, 14:00-17:30
,
Monday - Sunday:
10:00-12:00, 14:00-17:30
,
Monday - Sunday:
10:00-12:00, 14:00-17:30
,
Monday - Sunday:
9:30-18:00
Monday - Sunday:
9:30-19:00
Monday - Sunday:
9:30-18:00
Monday - Sunday:
10:00-12:00, 14:00-17:30
,
Monday - Sunday:
9:30-18:00
Closed on
Currently and upcoming
Event
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Take your family on an adventure and explore the wells in search of salt water! A fun-filled guided tour to learn all about Comtois salt, followed by salt water evaporation, a game on the uses of salt ...
Event
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Discover the art of modeling, inspired by objects in the City of Salins collections, and follow in the footsteps of two famous Salins ceramists, Max and Julie Claudet. Let your artistic soul shine ...
Event
Discover the Grande Saline on an original tour, with a touch of fantasy! It's the third edition of this not-to-be-missed event for the European Night of Museums: an original tour, punctuated by ...
Event
Meet the people who were the driving force behind the Grande Saline for centuries: horses. What role did they play in the operation of the saltworks? How did the saltworks maintain its horses? Work ...
Event
How to create and fix beautiful natural colors? Discover a natural color-fixing process using salt! Join Lolita Barbier for a family-friendly workshop to learn how. Date: Saturday, May 24. Times: 2 ...