The Saline Royale of Arc-et-Senans

The Saline Royale: a masterpiece dedicated to salt!

This historic site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Comprising 11 buildings arranged in a semicircle, this site is unique for its history, architecture, geographical location, and cultural offerings…

Commissioned by the king, it was built in the 18th century by the visionary architect Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. It was designed to process part of the brine from Salins-les-Bains (another salt production site 20 km away).

Behind its imposing surrounding wall, it housed both workplaces and living quarters, from the laborer to the director. The Saltworks notably symbolized the gabelle, a tax levied on salt at that time.
A Stronghold of Regional Culture

Today, beyond the beauty of this monument—which is a work of art in itself—it stands as a stronghold of regional, even national, culture right in the heart of the countryside!

The site is open to the general public; it also serves as a hotel, conference center, and residence for many artists, creators, and intellectuals.

Like a common thread, an annual theme orchestrates the various events: temporary exhibitions, performances, festivals, concerts, conferences, and gatherings… for the general public.

What can you do here? Tours of the complex (with or without a guide)

• The museum dedicated to architect Claude-Nicolas Ledoux,
• The permanent exhibition on the themes of salt and World Heritage,
• Enjoy the cultural program
• Annual highlights: Garden Festival, major concerts, Lux Salina shows (animated images projected onto the buildings set to music).