Salins-les-Bains
The Grande Saline
Bicycle rentals nearby
1,200 years of salty history… 400 kilometers from the sea!
The subsoil of the Jura Mountains is brimming with a myriad of geological surprises. In particular, large deposits of salt-bearing rock can be found there. The high porosity of the limestone that makes up most of the soil, combined with the region’s abundant rainfall, allows fresh water to become saltwater.
Thus, since Roman times, the people of this region have sought to harvest these highly saline waters (over 330 grams of salt per liter of water) to meet their own needs.
Since the 8th century, saltwater has been extracted from a depth of 250 meters beneath Salins-les-Bains. The town was built around the saltworks, which forms the heart of the city. For centuries, it served as a center of economic power, with the “white gold” produced here and exported across a vast territory and even beyond its borders.
Wood, the fuel essential for boiling the brine, eventually became scarce in the region! In the 18th century, the construction of an additional saltworks (the Saline Royale d’Arc et Senans) was ordered to process the low-salinity water, which was transported via a 21-kilometer-long brine pipeline.
And then…
Faced with advances in rail transport and the development of cold storage technology, it closed its doors in 1962. Owned by the city since 1966, it became one of the first industrial heritage sites open to the public in France.
As the top tourist destination in the Jura region, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009, joining the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans.
A museum space allows visitors to immerse themselves in the working environment of the salt workers and also recounts the importance of this facility over the centuries.
A guided tour is essential.
Temporary exhibitions that bridge the past and the present
Enjoy the cultural program (events, off-the-beaten-path tours, concerts…)
Practical Information
Salins-les-Bains is located 13 km from Myon, after a drive of about 10 km through the woods, offering exceptional views of the town and its forts.
Grande saline de Salins-les-Bains
3 Place des Salines
39110 Salins-Les-Bains
All ages – +++ Family-friendly
Open year-round (Dec. and Jan. 2:00 PM–5:30 PM and weekends 10:00 AM–12:00 PM + 2:00 PM–5:30 PM – April and October: 9:30 AM–12:30 PM + 2:00 PM–6:00 PM – May, June, and September: 9:30 AM–6:00 PM – July and August: 9:00 AM–7:00 PM)
Combined ticket available for both saltworks (Grande Saline and Saline Royale)
https://www.salinesdesalins.com
+33 (0)3 84 73 10 92