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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The Easter hare will soon be coming to the Grande Saline! Children will have to solve riddles and collect clues to find the key to the chocolate chest... hidden in the saltworks! But be careful, they ...
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Discover the secrets of salt with this playful scientific workshop. Through 4 fascinating experiments, your little explorers will learn how salt dissolves, crystallizes, separates from pepper and ...
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Enter the extraordinary epic of salt with wonderful tales of light and shadow... Let yourself be carried away by the stories of Pierrot the shepherd, Saint Anatoile and Fleur, the brave little girl in ...
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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 ...
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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 ...