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
Discover the art of modelling with your family! Take inspiration from the collections of the City of Salins and follow in the footsteps of two famous Salins ceramists: Max and Julie Claudet. For ...
Event
Did you know? In 1825, a gigantic fire ravaged the town of Salins, despite the mobilization of firefighters and the local population. Discover how fires were prevented and fought in the 19th century ...
Event
-
Enter the extraordinary epic of salt through storytelling, shadow theater and a creative workshop! Let yourself be carried away by the stories of Pierrot the shepherd, Saint Anatoile and Fleur, the ...
Event
-
Explore the saltworks on this fun, child-friendly tour! Set off in search of salt water, then play games to discover the different uses of salt. Finally, after a demonstration of how salt water ...
Event
Unlock the secrets of salt with this fun science workshop! 4 fascinating experiments to discover what dissolution, saturation and crystallization are, and how salt behaves when heated. For children ...
Event
You've got a date with the saltworks witch! To undo a terrible spell, children will make their own amulet during an object hunt. Dive into the Halloween atmosphere and discover the saltworks in a ...